i've already listed 69, so here's the 31 OTHER things i've promisted to round out a full 100 things about me:
70. i'm right handed, but i bat and golf left handed.
71. i don't drink coffee or soda.
72. i once tried to be a vegetarian. i lasted 2 weeks.
73. i cracked when i smelled steak on the grill.
74. i've fired the canon at fort ord under the golden gate bridge.
75. i love accents, especially boston accents and african accents.
76. if i were a teenage mutant ninja turtle, i'd be michaelangelo.
77. i once stole bikini bottoms from old navy.
78. it was an accident. i forgot to take them off before putting my shorts on and i just walked out of the store. and was too embarrassed to go back and return them.
79. i was hugely dissapointed when i saw plymouth rock. and the liberty bell.
80. i bite my nails.
81. no matter how much i want to stop, i can't. it's a nervous habit.
82. i like drinking hot water with lemon.
83. i hate anything raspberry flavored.
84. i've dented my car twice in 4 years on parking garage pillars.
85. i love getting dressed up to go out.
86. i love having my hair washed, complete with scalp massage.
87. some day i will have a manservant to do that for me every morning.
88. and he will look like taye diggs.
89. and sing sweet sweet love songs like jack johnson.
90. i have a pair of lucky underwear.
91. i hate cats. i'm highly allergic.
92. i get lost really really really easily.
93. i'm a very visual person. i need to write things down, draw a picture, face what i'm listening to in order to understand.
94. i have to wear earrings everyday or i feel naked.
95. i've never ever once laughed out loud to seinfeld. honestly, i don't think he's funny.
96. i hate cleaning.
97. but i LOVE to organize.
98. i love the smell of scotch tape, post-it notes, and new computers.
99. i've won many limbo contests.
100. april 22 is my "official" one year running anniversary!
Friday, April 20, 2007
brand new day
in the last 36 hours, i've:
1. had a good, big , long sobfest. the wailing, snot-running, can barely breathe kind.
2. got a call from my best friend where i got to cry to her for a good long while.
3. ate a sourdough bacon cheeseburger, fries, and andes mint shake from jack-in-the-box.
4. impressed my new client with my design prowess.
5. bought my new macbook pro (it's soooooo sexy!)
6. rearranged my restaurant schedule so i could have the morning off to prepare for my interview today.
7. slept 12 hours continuously.
i admit i freaked out more than i should have at the beginning of the week, but hey, it's what i do. and working 9 hours on my feet, looking for a new job, while trying to figure out this brand new endeavor of being a self-employed designer is all some hard sh!t.
it's been such a strange experience moving back home without a job. to the point where sometimes i really wonder whether it was a good idea to have moved without one. but then i would have had to face a whole set of other obstacles had i stayed in dc. and in my heart i know they even out.
plus i have the benefit of finally being a part of my family again. on the way home from my client meeting, i stopped by my brother's house to have dinner and visit with my nephew. the lil kid perked my spirits instantly and as i left he bawled and bawled, unhappy to see his favorite (and only) auntie leave. i wouldn't have THAT if i was still in d.c.
i hope to reunite with my running on sunday morning. taking mucinex has helped the congestion problem and i'm hoping i'll feel good enough to log at least 1 mile on the treadmill. i might have to scrap my planned races and sign up for what i can at the last minute, depending on how my work/interviewing schedule goes. in a few weeks, i'll start marathon training! and if that's the only race i run this year, i think i'll be perfectly happy!!
1. had a good, big , long sobfest. the wailing, snot-running, can barely breathe kind.
2. got a call from my best friend where i got to cry to her for a good long while.
3. ate a sourdough bacon cheeseburger, fries, and andes mint shake from jack-in-the-box.
4. impressed my new client with my design prowess.
5. bought my new macbook pro (it's soooooo sexy!)
6. rearranged my restaurant schedule so i could have the morning off to prepare for my interview today.
7. slept 12 hours continuously.
i admit i freaked out more than i should have at the beginning of the week, but hey, it's what i do. and working 9 hours on my feet, looking for a new job, while trying to figure out this brand new endeavor of being a self-employed designer is all some hard sh!t.
it's been such a strange experience moving back home without a job. to the point where sometimes i really wonder whether it was a good idea to have moved without one. but then i would have had to face a whole set of other obstacles had i stayed in dc. and in my heart i know they even out.
plus i have the benefit of finally being a part of my family again. on the way home from my client meeting, i stopped by my brother's house to have dinner and visit with my nephew. the lil kid perked my spirits instantly and as i left he bawled and bawled, unhappy to see his favorite (and only) auntie leave. i wouldn't have THAT if i was still in d.c.
i hope to reunite with my running on sunday morning. taking mucinex has helped the congestion problem and i'm hoping i'll feel good enough to log at least 1 mile on the treadmill. i might have to scrap my planned races and sign up for what i can at the last minute, depending on how my work/interviewing schedule goes. in a few weeks, i'll start marathon training! and if that's the only race i run this year, i think i'll be perfectly happy!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
**deep breaths**
i want to thank everyone for their support! it makes me feel less crazy to know others deal with flack from their loved ones as well. and it makes me that much more grateful for the blogger comraderie and community. we can all be crazy together! wheeeeeeee!
that being said, i am opting out of santa cruz this weekend. for a TON of reasons. the congestion in my head is moving south. i haven't been able to test out my legs. i've been working NON-STOP the whole week and i don't see any break until after my tuesday deadline. i've slept about 4 hours each night and predict i'll keep this schedule until at least saturday. i've been so wracked with panic and sleep deprived, i think i'm running on adrenaline instead of calories because i know i haven't been able to eat.
but even though i won't be chugging along the coast this weekend, don't forget to cheer on rose. she's gonna kick enough @ss for both of us anyway :)
once i meet my deadline, i'll have a second to sleep, regroup and resolve to NEVER, EVER, EVER again bite off more than i can chew. i have this habit of freaking out when i start something causing me to go into overdrive and do everything possible so as to do it perfectly, and then sometimes it's just too much all at once and i'm up sh!t creek. whoever said "live and learn" forgot that very important middle part.
that being said, i am opting out of santa cruz this weekend. for a TON of reasons. the congestion in my head is moving south. i haven't been able to test out my legs. i've been working NON-STOP the whole week and i don't see any break until after my tuesday deadline. i've slept about 4 hours each night and predict i'll keep this schedule until at least saturday. i've been so wracked with panic and sleep deprived, i think i'm running on adrenaline instead of calories because i know i haven't been able to eat.
but even though i won't be chugging along the coast this weekend, don't forget to cheer on rose. she's gonna kick enough @ss for both of us anyway :)
once i meet my deadline, i'll have a second to sleep, regroup and resolve to NEVER, EVER, EVER again bite off more than i can chew. i have this habit of freaking out when i start something causing me to go into overdrive and do everything possible so as to do it perfectly, and then sometimes it's just too much all at once and i'm up sh!t creek. whoever said "live and learn" forgot that very important middle part.
Monday, April 16, 2007
when will she understand?
mom: it's supposed to rain on sunday.
me: i know. i'll have to run in it.
mom: well don't push it, you don't want to get sick. so how long will it take? an hour? i don't want to get home too late. and your brothers. they have to drive even further.
me: uh, no mom. it'll take me at least 2 and a half hours to run 13.1 miles. (thinking to myself, you mean i have to speed things up just to accommodate other people's schedules, when the reason we're in santa cruz in the FIRST place is so I can run MY race?)
mom: that long?!?! well don't push it. i mean if you can't finish it, then you can't finish it.
me: (seething under my breath) mom. i. can. finish. it.
problem is, my leg/hip/groin isn't 100%. so i don't know if i have what it takes to prove her wrong. i was fine about not finishing it BEFORE she said this comment. but now, i want to run and finish even if i have to cut my damned leg off. even though i know my mom loves me and is proud of me in many many ways, i almost think she just wants this "running thing" to blow up in my face. just because it's something she can't do. something she wouldn't even conceive of doing. an accomplishment that she is in a way jealous of my having. i think in this aspect, she relishes any sign of my weakness. i hate to say that about her. but i honestly, that's how i feel.
just another reason i am going to burn in hell...thinking ill thoughts of one's perfectly wonderful mother.
me: i know. i'll have to run in it.
mom: well don't push it, you don't want to get sick. so how long will it take? an hour? i don't want to get home too late. and your brothers. they have to drive even further.
me: uh, no mom. it'll take me at least 2 and a half hours to run 13.1 miles. (thinking to myself, you mean i have to speed things up just to accommodate other people's schedules, when the reason we're in santa cruz in the FIRST place is so I can run MY race?)
mom: that long?!?! well don't push it. i mean if you can't finish it, then you can't finish it.
me: (seething under my breath) mom. i. can. finish. it.
problem is, my leg/hip/groin isn't 100%. so i don't know if i have what it takes to prove her wrong. i was fine about not finishing it BEFORE she said this comment. but now, i want to run and finish even if i have to cut my damned leg off. even though i know my mom loves me and is proud of me in many many ways, i almost think she just wants this "running thing" to blow up in my face. just because it's something she can't do. something she wouldn't even conceive of doing. an accomplishment that she is in a way jealous of my having. i think in this aspect, she relishes any sign of my weakness. i hate to say that about her. but i honestly, that's how i feel.
just another reason i am going to burn in hell...thinking ill thoughts of one's perfectly wonderful mother.
ack!
suddenly, everything seems to be getting out of control around here.
freelancing is a relatively new situation for me, and just as i suspected, it's already getting complicated. i took on a project for a firm in sac, and so far it seems to be under control. except that i have a deadline right after my half. my old firm in dc has a rush project that needs to get taken care of by the end of the week.
and all those creative staffing agencies i've shown my portfolio to? they all say they have jobs for me, but they're all temporary positions. i'm contemplating whether that's something i want to commit to because it could just put me back in the same position i am in now, while a permanent position i DO want may be out of my grasp because of the time i've committed to the temporary one.
in the meantime, because i was afraid i might not be making steady money, i've picked up a waitressing gig and i'm scheduled every day until saturday. i have an interview this friday after work, when all i'll really want to be doing is relaxing and packing for the weekend. not driving an hour, then putting on my most intelligent and eager face to talk about my stellar design skills.
i haven't run all last week and while i've gotten over the paranoia that my legs will have forgotten how to run, i wanted a few days to test out my legs to see how they really feel and perform.
part of me knows i'm just being a spoiled brat who has forgotten what it feels like to have a real work schedule. but part of me also knows it's just nerve wracking to have absolutely no constants in my life right now because of my work situation. some people love this kind of freedom and flexibility, but i abhor it. give me routine and comfort, please. i don't like not knowing what things will be like next month. wondering whether i'll have the time or money to plan the vacation i want to. or plan anything in advance, even races. i don't like not knowing how much i will be earning, even if it means i could be cashing in on a lot of work this month. i want to be able to plan. and focus.
i know that eventually things will settle down and something will come of the madness. i just wish the madness didn't coincide with the week before a big race.
--------addendum
i just went to get a haircut, thinking the pampering would do me some good. instead, i sat tin the chair for an hour while my childhood hairstylist talked endlessly (and annoyingly) about gossip and the endless drama in her life and i walked away with a craptastic cut.
*sigh*
i was trying to grow out my hair, then resolved to just do something different. but after this cut, i may have to whack it all off again and start all over. which just may be the excuse i wanted to go back to my original short style.
freelancing is a relatively new situation for me, and just as i suspected, it's already getting complicated. i took on a project for a firm in sac, and so far it seems to be under control. except that i have a deadline right after my half. my old firm in dc has a rush project that needs to get taken care of by the end of the week.
and all those creative staffing agencies i've shown my portfolio to? they all say they have jobs for me, but they're all temporary positions. i'm contemplating whether that's something i want to commit to because it could just put me back in the same position i am in now, while a permanent position i DO want may be out of my grasp because of the time i've committed to the temporary one.
in the meantime, because i was afraid i might not be making steady money, i've picked up a waitressing gig and i'm scheduled every day until saturday. i have an interview this friday after work, when all i'll really want to be doing is relaxing and packing for the weekend. not driving an hour, then putting on my most intelligent and eager face to talk about my stellar design skills.
i haven't run all last week and while i've gotten over the paranoia that my legs will have forgotten how to run, i wanted a few days to test out my legs to see how they really feel and perform.
part of me knows i'm just being a spoiled brat who has forgotten what it feels like to have a real work schedule. but part of me also knows it's just nerve wracking to have absolutely no constants in my life right now because of my work situation. some people love this kind of freedom and flexibility, but i abhor it. give me routine and comfort, please. i don't like not knowing what things will be like next month. wondering whether i'll have the time or money to plan the vacation i want to. or plan anything in advance, even races. i don't like not knowing how much i will be earning, even if it means i could be cashing in on a lot of work this month. i want to be able to plan. and focus.
i know that eventually things will settle down and something will come of the madness. i just wish the madness didn't coincide with the week before a big race.
--------addendum
i just went to get a haircut, thinking the pampering would do me some good. instead, i sat tin the chair for an hour while my childhood hairstylist talked endlessly (and annoyingly) about gossip and the endless drama in her life and i walked away with a craptastic cut.
*sigh*
i was trying to grow out my hair, then resolved to just do something different. but after this cut, i may have to whack it all off again and start all over. which just may be the excuse i wanted to go back to my original short style.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
procrastination
ticketmaster treated me to 4 free downloads on itunes for buying concert tickets yesterday. yippee! after spending way too much time on itunes, i ended up with:
1. over it (katherine mcphee)
not really a fan of her, but i can't help but really like that song.
2. maniac (michael sembello)
i roared with laughter at the thought of me cruising through the race to that song. maybe i should wear leg warmers?
3. wanna love you girl (robin thicke)
love him, though can't get over how much he looks like his dad jason seaver to think he's hot..
4. move something (ll cool j)
'nuff said.
i also managed to "find" and "secure" an mp3 of kelly clarkson's new song, never again. i can't WAIT til her new album comes out!!!!!!
so i meant to run yesterday...or at least test out my legs. but i ws having nano issues...which required a trip to the apple store, blah blah....maybe i'll run tonight.
the trip to the apple store wasn't just for the ipod though, because i got to play with all the computers and finally decided on which mac book pro i want!!! i was gonna use my tax refund to go to greece this year, but my old laptop died and well hopefully greece will still be around for a long while. so...more money for steve jobs it is!
1. over it (katherine mcphee)
not really a fan of her, but i can't help but really like that song.
2. maniac (michael sembello)
i roared with laughter at the thought of me cruising through the race to that song. maybe i should wear leg warmers?
3. wanna love you girl (robin thicke)
love him, though can't get over how much he looks like his dad jason seaver to think he's hot..
4. move something (ll cool j)
'nuff said.
i also managed to "find" and "secure" an mp3 of kelly clarkson's new song, never again. i can't WAIT til her new album comes out!!!!!!
so i meant to run yesterday...or at least test out my legs. but i ws having nano issues...which required a trip to the apple store, blah blah....maybe i'll run tonight.
the trip to the apple store wasn't just for the ipod though, because i got to play with all the computers and finally decided on which mac book pro i want!!! i was gonna use my tax refund to go to greece this year, but my old laptop died and well hopefully greece will still be around for a long while. so...more money for steve jobs it is!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
no! no! no! no! no! no!
weather in santa cruz next sunday, according to weather.com:
i've raced in rain before, but only 5ks! i've run distances in rain before. lots of rain. but in the summer, when it was warm. cold rain??? YOU SUCK! time to start doing an anti-rain dance.
i've raced in rain before, but only 5ks! i've run distances in rain before. lots of rain. but in the summer, when it was warm. cold rain??? YOU SUCK! time to start doing an anti-rain dance.
Friday, April 13, 2007
baseball
i was on the sf giants' site checking out their schedule, specifically looking for when they play the nationals and the red sox. and wouldn't ya know it. the week they play dc at home is when i'll be back in dc for my annual girls beach trip.
i guess i'll have to settle for a catching a game against a team i don't really care too much about. in all honesty, i haven't followed giants baseball since i was in middle school. but that was before i was old enough to spend $500 on a small beer at the ballpark.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
on the DL
injury/illness-imposed rest is the worst kind. so i'm calling the next couple days of rest "a vacation" instead. sounds, better doesn't it? instantly takes me from "if my sinuses don't kill me, then my legs are gonna fall off" freak-out syndrome to "ahhhh, now i don't have to be a slave to the training schedule and i can actually take more time to do other things"
and if my "vacation" is forced to overlap with race day, so be it. sh!t happens. at least i'll be at the beach. there will be other races.
maybe this isn't the attitude of a comeptitive elite racer, but what can i do? i got sick. i got injured. both at the wrong time (not that there ever is a right time) but i know i can do the distance. besides it's too early to tell how i'll really feel come race day. so fingers crossed people.
but until then, i'm on siesta...
and if my "vacation" is forced to overlap with race day, so be it. sh!t happens. at least i'll be at the beach. there will be other races.
maybe this isn't the attitude of a comeptitive elite racer, but what can i do? i got sick. i got injured. both at the wrong time (not that there ever is a right time) but i know i can do the distance. besides it's too early to tell how i'll really feel come race day. so fingers crossed people.
but until then, i'm on siesta...
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
pain in my ...
even though i am now properly medicated and breathing and sleeping normally, i still didn't want to inundate my sinuses needlessly with pollen. so i ran on the treadmill today. a 7 mile easy run cut down to 5 for a variety of reasons: i just wanted to be done, my hour was up and there were people waiting, and that weird nagging groin/hip pain.
i am really bad when it comes to injury because 1.i freak out 2. i freak out and 3. i freak out. especially with only 2 weeks before my big race. and i am very impatient when it comes to the whole r.i.c.e. shebang. and how in the hell am i supposed to compress THAT area?
it's been maybe a little over a week since this weird pain crept in. it doesn't hurt a lot and even when i run it doesn't hurt enough to make me want to stop. it just feels weird. a little tight. and i feel it everytime i lift my right leg or do anything with my right leg actually. i suspect it happened over the week i tried to be all butch and fanatical with the weights and increased mileage. i could definitely feel it when i did those series of pushups. maybe it's more of a lower abdominal thing.
either way, something doesn't feel right and i'm not exactly quite sure what to do...
i am really bad when it comes to injury because 1.i freak out 2. i freak out and 3. i freak out. especially with only 2 weeks before my big race. and i am very impatient when it comes to the whole r.i.c.e. shebang. and how in the hell am i supposed to compress THAT area?
it's been maybe a little over a week since this weird pain crept in. it doesn't hurt a lot and even when i run it doesn't hurt enough to make me want to stop. it just feels weird. a little tight. and i feel it everytime i lift my right leg or do anything with my right leg actually. i suspect it happened over the week i tried to be all butch and fanatical with the weights and increased mileage. i could definitely feel it when i did those series of pushups. maybe it's more of a lower abdominal thing.
either way, something doesn't feel right and i'm not exactly quite sure what to do...
Monday, April 09, 2007
recovery monday
i survived a week of effed up hormones, a night of waaaaaaaaay too many margaritas, a weekend of god-awful allergies and ineffectual OTC medicine. i'm picking up my prescribed medicine today and paying FULL price because i was stupid enough to run out during the one month lapse between changing health insurance. but being able to breathe is important enough for me to pay $125 in sweet, sweet drugs.
besides, last time i was lax in taking my allergy meds, i got a sinus infection that put me in utter pain for my LAST half marathon. i've worked too hard for this one to not pay my stupid tax for the meds. it's a lot to pay when i'm used to paying only $30, but in the grand scheme of things i would easily and without thinking spend $125 on totally non essential items, like beer, clothing, cute earrings etc.
but i don't think the OTCs are totally out of my system and they're still making me feel totally wrecked. i think i'll just stay inside with my head covered, sipping tea with lots of local honey (they say this works too for allergies) and head out for a nice run TOMORROW.
besides, last time i was lax in taking my allergy meds, i got a sinus infection that put me in utter pain for my LAST half marathon. i've worked too hard for this one to not pay my stupid tax for the meds. it's a lot to pay when i'm used to paying only $30, but in the grand scheme of things i would easily and without thinking spend $125 on totally non essential items, like beer, clothing, cute earrings etc.
but i don't think the OTCs are totally out of my system and they're still making me feel totally wrecked. i think i'll just stay inside with my head covered, sipping tea with lots of local honey (they say this works too for allergies) and head out for a nice run TOMORROW.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
7+3=crappy
when my ipod wouldn't charge this morning, i should have taken that as a sign of what my energy level today would be like. it took me about 2 hours to get out of the house after i had changed into my running clothes, partly because i was waiting for the effing thing to charge and partly because i just really didn't want to get out there today. eventually, i just said eff it to my ipod, grabbed it with whatever juice it had and got in my car to run my 10 miles because they wouldn't run themselves.
here are my splits:
1: 11:26
2: 11:34
3: 11:46
4: 11:13
5: 11:47
6: 12:08
7: 11:34
8: 12:06
9: 12:53
the rest: 10:47
T: 1:57:18
they start off pretty decent, and every time my nano would tell me my pace, i'd look at my watch incredulously and go, what? i don't feel like i'm running a sub-12 minute mile. and after a couple of miles at an eleven-something pace i just stopped trying to slow myself down because it just wasn't happening.
which of course was a mistake because i really petered out at the end. at about 5 miles, i started to realize that this long, easy run felt more like a really long tempo run. while the pace was a little uncomfortable to keep up, i just couldn't WILL myself slower. so i just sucked up the discomfort for as long as i could.
the entire 2 hours was just not fun. maybe because it was windy. or more humid. or later than i like to run. at about mile 8, i just stopped trying to make it a happy run and settled into getting the last 2 miles of my sucky run done. at one point i wanted to just scream ENOUGH! at the top of my lungs and fling myself into the grass.
at mile 9, my ipod crapped out. i was able to make it about a half mile without it and the last quarter i threw in the towel and walked. i tore off my headphones, tore off my visor, tore out the elastics in my hair.
i'm not crazy disappointed though really. while i'm still relatively new to the running game, i've run enough to know that sometimes for whatever reason you have sucky ass runs. today was one of them. and next week brings the opportunity for some really great ones.
this weekend i won't even think about running. only about how many margaritas i can throw back tonight, how many dollar bills i will have to throw at oily men in banana hammocks to sufficiently embarrass my mother, and how much fun it will be to spend my first easter with my nephew.
here are my splits:
1: 11:26
2: 11:34
3: 11:46
4: 11:13
5: 11:47
6: 12:08
7: 11:34
8: 12:06
9: 12:53
the rest: 10:47
T: 1:57:18
they start off pretty decent, and every time my nano would tell me my pace, i'd look at my watch incredulously and go, what? i don't feel like i'm running a sub-12 minute mile. and after a couple of miles at an eleven-something pace i just stopped trying to slow myself down because it just wasn't happening.
which of course was a mistake because i really petered out at the end. at about 5 miles, i started to realize that this long, easy run felt more like a really long tempo run. while the pace was a little uncomfortable to keep up, i just couldn't WILL myself slower. so i just sucked up the discomfort for as long as i could.
the entire 2 hours was just not fun. maybe because it was windy. or more humid. or later than i like to run. at about mile 8, i just stopped trying to make it a happy run and settled into getting the last 2 miles of my sucky run done. at one point i wanted to just scream ENOUGH! at the top of my lungs and fling myself into the grass.
at mile 9, my ipod crapped out. i was able to make it about a half mile without it and the last quarter i threw in the towel and walked. i tore off my headphones, tore off my visor, tore out the elastics in my hair.
i'm not crazy disappointed though really. while i'm still relatively new to the running game, i've run enough to know that sometimes for whatever reason you have sucky ass runs. today was one of them. and next week brings the opportunity for some really great ones.
this weekend i won't even think about running. only about how many margaritas i can throw back tonight, how many dollar bills i will have to throw at oily men in banana hammocks to sufficiently embarrass my mother, and how much fun it will be to spend my first easter with my nephew.
Friday, April 06, 2007
technology my @ss
my parents' desktop computer is suddenly "broken", having come down with some sort of "virus". i didn't think it should affect my hardy and reliable mac, but apparently, my parents' computer needs to work for the internet connection to work? sounds fishy to me. it put a big wrench in some work i needed to do today and now i'm all crabby and ready to blame the entire world for my lack of convenience.
we managed to get my dad's laptop connected to the outside world so i could send some files, but not having internet access is worse than not having a telephone. or running water. i'm serious.
could i possibly be this spoiled and reliant on a technology that i've lived without for most of my life? it's sad, but true.
in job related news, i'm showing my portfolio to a creative staffing agency today and i've gotten some offers for more freelancing. of course this is also after i've committed to a full time schedule at the restaurant. this juggling of multi-gigs is stressful and i'll be happy once i can find a full time studio i love and adore.
and in running news, i have a 10 miler scheduled for tomorrow. which i hope is a breeze after running 15 last week. did i mention i ran 15 miles last week? ;) i'm not exactly sure how the rest of my training will play out in the next 2 weeks. i'll most likely do an 8 or 9 for my last long run, throw in a couple more speed workouts, and then go really easy the last 3 or so days before the race. if anyone has any suggestions, i'm open to them. i sort of got ahead of myself on the training schedule to meet my march goals so now i don't know how hard i should really be pushing at this point.
so have a great weekend peeps. my mom got us girls tickets to thunder from down under this saturday. my 60 year old, never been to a bar before, rosary praying, scared to go out at night mother got me, her, my sisters in law and her sister, tickets to a strip show. craziness! happy easter indeed!
we managed to get my dad's laptop connected to the outside world so i could send some files, but not having internet access is worse than not having a telephone. or running water. i'm serious.
could i possibly be this spoiled and reliant on a technology that i've lived without for most of my life? it's sad, but true.
in job related news, i'm showing my portfolio to a creative staffing agency today and i've gotten some offers for more freelancing. of course this is also after i've committed to a full time schedule at the restaurant. this juggling of multi-gigs is stressful and i'll be happy once i can find a full time studio i love and adore.
and in running news, i have a 10 miler scheduled for tomorrow. which i hope is a breeze after running 15 last week. did i mention i ran 15 miles last week? ;) i'm not exactly sure how the rest of my training will play out in the next 2 weeks. i'll most likely do an 8 or 9 for my last long run, throw in a couple more speed workouts, and then go really easy the last 3 or so days before the race. if anyone has any suggestions, i'm open to them. i sort of got ahead of myself on the training schedule to meet my march goals so now i don't know how hard i should really be pushing at this point.
so have a great weekend peeps. my mom got us girls tickets to thunder from down under this saturday. my 60 year old, never been to a bar before, rosary praying, scared to go out at night mother got me, her, my sisters in law and her sister, tickets to a strip show. craziness! happy easter indeed!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
wax on, wax off
an hour on the bike, 16.25 miles for the log book. but the greatest feat about today's workout was that i got it done at all. i missed my opportunity for a morning workout because i had a lot of work that HAD to get done today. I wrote off any workout and tried not to feel too bad because it was a crosstraining day. i knew that if i didn't get it done in the morning, a workout wasn't gonna happen later in the day.
by 3:00, all my work was one and my brain was fried. but miraculously i thought to myself, wow the gym would feel really good right about now. crazy, huh?
i didn't get my weights in though. i wanted to get home and wash my car since i haven't washed it since...december. i figured car washing could be a decent workout. and if i still have some energy left in me, i'll haul out the free weights and get to crackin' while watching UGLY BETTY tonight.
by 3:00, all my work was one and my brain was fried. but miraculously i thought to myself, wow the gym would feel really good right about now. crazy, huh?
i didn't get my weights in though. i wanted to get home and wash my car since i haven't washed it since...december. i figured car washing could be a decent workout. and if i still have some energy left in me, i'll haul out the free weights and get to crackin' while watching UGLY BETTY tonight.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
hump day, speed day
today's speed workout: 3 x 1600 @ 10:56 with 800 rec. this is how it went down:
1600 warmup: 13:53 (most sluggish mile ever)
1600: 10:54
800: 6:21
1600: 10:31
800: 6:38
1600: 10:10
400 cooldown: 5:00 (i nearly wiped out on the treadmill after dropping my ipod)
T: 5.25 miles in 1:03:38
i really, really, really, really didn't want to do weights today. but i did. and it was a royal pain because they gym was really busy and i had to share the machines and work in my sets. but at least the boys played nice and reracked my weights for me. and i remembered my gloves today. last week my palms were dying.
"easy" weeks always mess with my mind because i always feel like i should push push push, but i just don't have the mental game right now. plus i'm feeling a little soreness in the groin area, so i'm telling myself it's good i'm easing up this week. and while in my head i know that relaxing is part of training, part of me is always scared that i won't be back up to par again, even though i always bounce back. stupid mind tricks.
all i can say is at least this week isn't race week!
1600 warmup: 13:53 (most sluggish mile ever)
1600: 10:54
800: 6:21
1600: 10:31
800: 6:38
1600: 10:10
400 cooldown: 5:00 (i nearly wiped out on the treadmill after dropping my ipod)
T: 5.25 miles in 1:03:38
i really, really, really, really didn't want to do weights today. but i did. and it was a royal pain because they gym was really busy and i had to share the machines and work in my sets. but at least the boys played nice and reracked my weights for me. and i remembered my gloves today. last week my palms were dying.
"easy" weeks always mess with my mind because i always feel like i should push push push, but i just don't have the mental game right now. plus i'm feeling a little soreness in the groin area, so i'm telling myself it's good i'm easing up this week. and while in my head i know that relaxing is part of training, part of me is always scared that i won't be back up to par again, even though i always bounce back. stupid mind tricks.
all i can say is at least this week isn't race week!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
more mini-me
it's a slow running week this week. and it couldn't have come at a better time, hormones wise. so instead of subject you to the wrath of my grouchy mood and fiery temper that my family gets to enjoy, i've decided to go with another installment of wee petite me. this batch isn't as good as the last, but still horribly embarrassing :)
my grandma doesn't appear at all concerned that my dress doesn't even cover my diaper! then again, it doesn't look like i care too much either.
this is actually probably more embarassing for my dad. thank god he didn't keep the 'stache for very long.
yes, this was a dukes of hazzard car. it's sad that i still think that's pretty cool.
see! everything comes back in style: big glasses, skinny jeans, jelly flats.
high school graduation picture. 10 years ago. did i tell you i got carded for buying a lighter last week? i can't possibly still look this young.
my grandma doesn't appear at all concerned that my dress doesn't even cover my diaper! then again, it doesn't look like i care too much either.
this is actually probably more embarassing for my dad. thank god he didn't keep the 'stache for very long.
yes, this was a dukes of hazzard car. it's sad that i still think that's pretty cool.
see! everything comes back in style: big glasses, skinny jeans, jelly flats.
high school graduation picture. 10 years ago. did i tell you i got carded for buying a lighter last week? i can't possibly still look this young.
Monday, April 02, 2007
dessert desperation
or dessert macgyver style.
i was seriously craving warm cookies and ice cream last night after dinner. but we had neither. and i was too lazy to drive out to the store to get some. so i foraged and came up with this:
oatmeal raisin clif bar nuked for 30 seconds topped with a huge mountain of low fat whipped cream. i resisted all urges to spray the whipped cream directly into my mouth as it wasn't my own personal can.
believe it or not, it was quite tasty and might be something i try more often. on purpose.
i was seriously craving warm cookies and ice cream last night after dinner. but we had neither. and i was too lazy to drive out to the store to get some. so i foraged and came up with this:
oatmeal raisin clif bar nuked for 30 seconds topped with a huge mountain of low fat whipped cream. i resisted all urges to spray the whipped cream directly into my mouth as it wasn't my own personal can.
believe it or not, it was quite tasty and might be something i try more often. on purpose.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
beer is my gatorade
yesterday, i took a proper rest day. complete with a big burger and beer lunch with dad (we're bad catholics) and a heavenly sushi dinner with mom (she's the good catholic). i resisted the urge to have sake with dinner, but couldn't resist the 2 pints of hefeweisen at lunch. besides, hef is the orange juice of beer anyway.
so i didn't get my planned 3 miles in on friday and wondered if adding them to my long run in the morning was going to be physically possible. to reach my 100/200 goal it would be necessary, but would it really be worth it? i thought about it and i planned for it anyway, packing 4 gels and 4 bottles. if by my scheduled 12 i was beat, then i would pack it in. but if i still felt good, i'd see how far i could go.
here's me before my run (about an hour and a half after the time i wanted to get started, but oh well. and my hair was going crazy)
so off i went. i extended my lagoon route to include the roads through the farms surrounding the park, the loop around the lagoon, up mountain lion hill, around another lagoon, and down some paths i'd never run before. i started up a path that was effing steep and about 8 minutes into it realized it was a forever winding uphill to the top. so i decided to save it for another day and made my way down. i had to cover some of the same paths twice, but going in the opposite direction than when i first ran it made for new scenery.
miles 1-3 sucked as usual, due to tightness in my outer left calf, but by three i was loose and the entire rest of my run was honestly freakin' awesome. at mile 11, a guy in a bright yellow shirt rode past me and when he got close i saw that his shirt said "you can do it". i took that as a sign that the 15 was gonna be mine. i was feeling really really good and really strong. my entire run, i was focusing on my posture and arm movement because it helped open up and chest and stretch it out.
not only did i get 15 miles in (my longest run EVER) check out my splits:
1: 12:15
2: 11:09
3: 11:22
4: 11:48
5: 10:59
6: 11:13
7: 11:21
8: 11:47
9: 11:23
10: 11:35
11: 11:21
12: 10:50
13: 11:18
14: 10:33 (jigga what?!)
15: 10:14
T: 2:47:10
um yeah, all under 12 minutes, besides the first. that my friends is a new record for me. could this really be a sign that i am getting better?!
needless to say, i was FREAKIN' ELATED. actually, i still am. i will probably be riding this high until tomorrow.
when i got home i changed into some dry clothes and i about fell over when i caught my reflection. three hours in the sun left me with a heinous sports bra tan and some serious chafing from my fuel belt. it's seriously ghastly. which is why i am sharing even though it is probably the most unflattering picture ever:
i'm hoping the chafing doesn't leave marks because that would be seriously ugly. my old fuel belt used to fit snugly around my hips so i didn't have this problem. but that one got too big and i gave it to a friend. i've tried wearing this fuel belt lower only to have it ride up. my options seem to be to wear a shirt and vaseline the hell out of my middle or try again to wear the fuel belt over my shorts.
looks like march ended on a very high note, with my longest run ever and meeting my 100/200 mile goals. next week the mileage is getting cut drastically, since the last four weeks have been pretty intense. but come april 22, i expect to kick some serious ass and hopefully squeak in a half marathon in 2.5 hours.
have a great weekend, peeps!
so i didn't get my planned 3 miles in on friday and wondered if adding them to my long run in the morning was going to be physically possible. to reach my 100/200 goal it would be necessary, but would it really be worth it? i thought about it and i planned for it anyway, packing 4 gels and 4 bottles. if by my scheduled 12 i was beat, then i would pack it in. but if i still felt good, i'd see how far i could go.
here's me before my run (about an hour and a half after the time i wanted to get started, but oh well. and my hair was going crazy)
so off i went. i extended my lagoon route to include the roads through the farms surrounding the park, the loop around the lagoon, up mountain lion hill, around another lagoon, and down some paths i'd never run before. i started up a path that was effing steep and about 8 minutes into it realized it was a forever winding uphill to the top. so i decided to save it for another day and made my way down. i had to cover some of the same paths twice, but going in the opposite direction than when i first ran it made for new scenery.
miles 1-3 sucked as usual, due to tightness in my outer left calf, but by three i was loose and the entire rest of my run was honestly freakin' awesome. at mile 11, a guy in a bright yellow shirt rode past me and when he got close i saw that his shirt said "you can do it". i took that as a sign that the 15 was gonna be mine. i was feeling really really good and really strong. my entire run, i was focusing on my posture and arm movement because it helped open up and chest and stretch it out.
not only did i get 15 miles in (my longest run EVER) check out my splits:
1: 12:15
2: 11:09
3: 11:22
4: 11:48
5: 10:59
6: 11:13
7: 11:21
8: 11:47
9: 11:23
10: 11:35
11: 11:21
12: 10:50
13: 11:18
14: 10:33 (jigga what?!)
15: 10:14
T: 2:47:10
um yeah, all under 12 minutes, besides the first. that my friends is a new record for me. could this really be a sign that i am getting better?!
needless to say, i was FREAKIN' ELATED. actually, i still am. i will probably be riding this high until tomorrow.
when i got home i changed into some dry clothes and i about fell over when i caught my reflection. three hours in the sun left me with a heinous sports bra tan and some serious chafing from my fuel belt. it's seriously ghastly. which is why i am sharing even though it is probably the most unflattering picture ever:
i'm hoping the chafing doesn't leave marks because that would be seriously ugly. my old fuel belt used to fit snugly around my hips so i didn't have this problem. but that one got too big and i gave it to a friend. i've tried wearing this fuel belt lower only to have it ride up. my options seem to be to wear a shirt and vaseline the hell out of my middle or try again to wear the fuel belt over my shorts.
looks like march ended on a very high note, with my longest run ever and meeting my 100/200 mile goals. next week the mileage is getting cut drastically, since the last four weeks have been pretty intense. but come april 22, i expect to kick some serious ass and hopefully squeak in a half marathon in 2.5 hours.
have a great weekend, peeps!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
going through the motions
today's workout was sort of blah. an hour on the bike (upright this time) on the "around the world" hill interval at level 6. it was a weird sequence of random spikes and few real big hills. my mind wasn't really into it but i managed to rack up 14.75 miles anyway. i think i may have to stick to the interval settings that give me the hills at more regualr intervals. and maybe consider cutting one bike session down to 30 minutes but increase the intensity. 2 hours on the bike a week just seems to bore the crap out of me.
today's strength training started off strong, then waned to whining once my muscles started cooling down.
3 sets of 12 for the following:
split lunges on the ball
reverse flared knee hyperextensions
leg press @ 90 lbs (my favorite exercise ever)
abductor machine @ 40 lbs
adductor machine @ 40 lbs
lat pulldowns @ 60 lbs (my second favorite exercise ever)
seated row @ 60 lbs
bicep curls @ 10 lbs (i swear i have the biggest but weakest arms ever)
i was also supposed to do some tri kickbacks and some dips but my tris still hurt from the pushups yesterday and i was feeling wimpy and whiny by the time i hit my biceps.
i've just finished training for a new waitressing gig to augment my freelancing income and tonight is my first night on the floor. so i suspect all i will want to do tomorrow is bake under the sun by a body of water. i'm hoping i can still eke out an easy, easy, easy 3 miles anyway. but some serious rest is in order for tomorrow. for reals.
today's strength training started off strong, then waned to whining once my muscles started cooling down.
3 sets of 12 for the following:
split lunges on the ball
reverse flared knee hyperextensions
leg press @ 90 lbs (my favorite exercise ever)
abductor machine @ 40 lbs
adductor machine @ 40 lbs
lat pulldowns @ 60 lbs (my second favorite exercise ever)
seated row @ 60 lbs
bicep curls @ 10 lbs (i swear i have the biggest but weakest arms ever)
i was also supposed to do some tri kickbacks and some dips but my tris still hurt from the pushups yesterday and i was feeling wimpy and whiny by the time i hit my biceps.
i've just finished training for a new waitressing gig to augment my freelancing income and tonight is my first night on the floor. so i suspect all i will want to do tomorrow is bake under the sun by a body of water. i'm hoping i can still eke out an easy, easy, easy 3 miles anyway. but some serious rest is in order for tomorrow. for reals.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
and the fun begins!
wednesday's speed workout: yasso 800s! wheeeeee!
2 mile warmup @ 13:00 each
6 x 800 with 5 minute recoverys:
3 x 800 @ 6.0 mph
2 x 800 @ 6.2 mph
1 x 800 @ 6.5 mph
then a 5 minute cooldown to round out a total 7 miles. total time 1:24:57
the surprising thing was how fun this workout was. by the end i was definitely feeling it, but not so much that i thought i was gonna die. obviously i had enough to crank it up at the end, and i think maybe i had enough in me for another interval. so maybe the next time i run these i'll do 8 intervals. and once i can get up to 10 start increasing my pace?
once off the treadmill, i made my way to the free weight area. normally i would have felt blech about it, but i was so pumped from my run that i didn't care that i was the only chick in the weight room, in a skirt no less. i blocked out the dudes grunting and did the following:
incline pushups on the Smith machine: 2 sets of 10 at three different heights
standing V pull: 3 sets of 12 @ 40 lbs
incline pullups: 3 sets of 10
ballet squats: 3 sets of 10
curtsey lunges: 3 sets of 10
grasshopper beats: 2 sets of 30
bicycle crunch: 2 sets of 20
double jackknifes@ 2 sets of 20
circle crunch: 2 sets of 20
it all felt pretty good, not too hard, but who knows how i'll really feel tomorrow. i'm hoping to get in the bike workout i missed yesterday and do some lower body.
2 mile warmup @ 13:00 each
6 x 800 with 5 minute recoverys:
3 x 800 @ 6.0 mph
2 x 800 @ 6.2 mph
1 x 800 @ 6.5 mph
then a 5 minute cooldown to round out a total 7 miles. total time 1:24:57
the surprising thing was how fun this workout was. by the end i was definitely feeling it, but not so much that i thought i was gonna die. obviously i had enough to crank it up at the end, and i think maybe i had enough in me for another interval. so maybe the next time i run these i'll do 8 intervals. and once i can get up to 10 start increasing my pace?
once off the treadmill, i made my way to the free weight area. normally i would have felt blech about it, but i was so pumped from my run that i didn't care that i was the only chick in the weight room, in a skirt no less. i blocked out the dudes grunting and did the following:
incline pushups on the Smith machine: 2 sets of 10 at three different heights
standing V pull: 3 sets of 12 @ 40 lbs
incline pullups: 3 sets of 10
ballet squats: 3 sets of 10
curtsey lunges: 3 sets of 10
grasshopper beats: 2 sets of 30
bicycle crunch: 2 sets of 20
double jackknifes@ 2 sets of 20
circle crunch: 2 sets of 20
it all felt pretty good, not too hard, but who knows how i'll really feel tomorrow. i'm hoping to get in the bike workout i missed yesterday and do some lower body.
Monday, March 26, 2007
quarterly report
as i went to bed last night, i thought of where i wanted to do my 7 mile easy run. treadmill? nah. through my neighborhood? nah. my 5 mile loop to the golf course? meh. it seems for someone who was perfectly content to run all her miles on a treadmill just a year ago, i've already become bored with my options. i finally settled on running at the lagoon even though i would have to drive there and it might be kind of deserted.
i ganked my brother's long sleeve underarmour shirt and tucked a plain powergel into my pack and headed out. the first three miles sucked and i seriously considered just bagging it at 5k. but i am only 29 miles away from making 100 miles this month and 200 for the year. so i knew i just had to suck it up and get all 7 done. and if i'm ever gonna make 900 miles by the end of the year, my 100 plus mile months have to start soon.
but after the three mile mark, the tightness in my calves loosened and i settled into a groove. enough that i decided to charge up a hill i had never seen the other side of. part of me pictured a family of hungry mountain lions waiting to devour my lil fleshy body, but instead i was surprised by a cute little grove of trees and picnic tables. i meandered through there for awhile when i saw another trail lead out to somewhere else i've never been. this trail led to another, and then another, and soon i was winding my way through the hills and brush. and even though it was a cloudy day, it was still really beautiful and peaceful (thanks to allergy meds) i'm no hardcore crunchy granola nature guru, but even i am amazed at how calming and energizing being outside can be.
my splits:
1: 12:13
2: 12:xx (i think i accidentally paused my watch)
3: 11:59
4: 12:18
5: 12:49
6: 12:23
7: 12:26
T: 1:26:48
as for the "plain" powergel, it still had a sweet flavor, but not really as intense as the others. i was first attracted to the powergels over the gus because the powergels boasted having up to 4x the sodium and being the sweaty hog i am, i liked gobbling as much sodium as possible. so maybe i will still mix them up.
and speaking of sweaty hog, the under armour compression shirt was FREAKING AWESOME! felt even better than not wearing a shirt or singlet at all. perfect moisture management. UA items are a bit pricey and rarely on sale from what i've seen, but i think there is an under armour outlet 'round here that i might have to make a trek to.
-------------------------
so as i mentioned earlier, i'm very close to making march my first 100 mile month. and if i get that done, i'll have 200 in the bag for the year so far. on target for making 2007 a 900 mile year. i'm planning to run a 7 mile speed workout on wednesday, an easy 3 on friday, and 12 on saturday. and that will put me 3 weeks away from my first half marathon of the year. a race that i feel very prepared for. i probably just jinxed it but i do feel ready. the only point of anxiety is that my family will be there so if anything does go wrong i feel like it might be amplified by the 10th degree. only because part of me feels like i have to prove to them that this running thing isn't totally crazy.
but besides that, i feel like i'm back in the shape i was before i moved and finally have a handle on a lot of the things in my life that were causing me angst. i didn't come to some grand epiphany, but slowly and surely march became the month where everything just started to make sense again :) i'm happy and thankful for that because i was starting to fear that i was going to roam aimlessly, endlessly.
so now, i'm ready for more. and i have to say i am constantly inspired by reading how all of you kick serious ass: 2 workouts a day, 3 sports at a time, juggling a job, and school, and kids, and families, running on little sleep, running in snow and ice, or heat and humidity, running distances i get tired just DRIVING, running faster than i even dream of, and still having great humor and spirits about everything. you guys really keep me going and help me believe that i too can kick some serious running ass.
in that vein, i'm adding another component to my regimen that i've been dreading for, oh forever. because the reality is that even though my mileage is back up to where it was before i started slacking off, the pounds have still accumulated. i am up 12 pounds since my move and i am seriously not happy. mainly because i dumped all my bigger clothes during the move and my clothes now just do not fit. not well, anyway.
so in the weeks leading to my half, i am determined to add 2 days of weight training in on mondays (easy run day) and thursday (easy bike day). in my very distant past, my weight training regimen consisted of 4 one hour lifting sessions throughout the week, alternating between upper and lower body, but that just seems like too much to do right now. i think for now i've got to put together a total body circuit that i can do in about an hour just twice a week. by may, i hope i'll have wrapped my head around the whole weight training thing and want to add at least another day. but we'll see. me and pain don't get along too well....
i ganked my brother's long sleeve underarmour shirt and tucked a plain powergel into my pack and headed out. the first three miles sucked and i seriously considered just bagging it at 5k. but i am only 29 miles away from making 100 miles this month and 200 for the year. so i knew i just had to suck it up and get all 7 done. and if i'm ever gonna make 900 miles by the end of the year, my 100 plus mile months have to start soon.
but after the three mile mark, the tightness in my calves loosened and i settled into a groove. enough that i decided to charge up a hill i had never seen the other side of. part of me pictured a family of hungry mountain lions waiting to devour my lil fleshy body, but instead i was surprised by a cute little grove of trees and picnic tables. i meandered through there for awhile when i saw another trail lead out to somewhere else i've never been. this trail led to another, and then another, and soon i was winding my way through the hills and brush. and even though it was a cloudy day, it was still really beautiful and peaceful (thanks to allergy meds) i'm no hardcore crunchy granola nature guru, but even i am amazed at how calming and energizing being outside can be.
my splits:
1: 12:13
2: 12:xx (i think i accidentally paused my watch)
3: 11:59
4: 12:18
5: 12:49
6: 12:23
7: 12:26
T: 1:26:48
as for the "plain" powergel, it still had a sweet flavor, but not really as intense as the others. i was first attracted to the powergels over the gus because the powergels boasted having up to 4x the sodium and being the sweaty hog i am, i liked gobbling as much sodium as possible. so maybe i will still mix them up.
and speaking of sweaty hog, the under armour compression shirt was FREAKING AWESOME! felt even better than not wearing a shirt or singlet at all. perfect moisture management. UA items are a bit pricey and rarely on sale from what i've seen, but i think there is an under armour outlet 'round here that i might have to make a trek to.
-------------------------
so as i mentioned earlier, i'm very close to making march my first 100 mile month. and if i get that done, i'll have 200 in the bag for the year so far. on target for making 2007 a 900 mile year. i'm planning to run a 7 mile speed workout on wednesday, an easy 3 on friday, and 12 on saturday. and that will put me 3 weeks away from my first half marathon of the year. a race that i feel very prepared for. i probably just jinxed it but i do feel ready. the only point of anxiety is that my family will be there so if anything does go wrong i feel like it might be amplified by the 10th degree. only because part of me feels like i have to prove to them that this running thing isn't totally crazy.
but besides that, i feel like i'm back in the shape i was before i moved and finally have a handle on a lot of the things in my life that were causing me angst. i didn't come to some grand epiphany, but slowly and surely march became the month where everything just started to make sense again :) i'm happy and thankful for that because i was starting to fear that i was going to roam aimlessly, endlessly.
so now, i'm ready for more. and i have to say i am constantly inspired by reading how all of you kick serious ass: 2 workouts a day, 3 sports at a time, juggling a job, and school, and kids, and families, running on little sleep, running in snow and ice, or heat and humidity, running distances i get tired just DRIVING, running faster than i even dream of, and still having great humor and spirits about everything. you guys really keep me going and help me believe that i too can kick some serious running ass.
in that vein, i'm adding another component to my regimen that i've been dreading for, oh forever. because the reality is that even though my mileage is back up to where it was before i started slacking off, the pounds have still accumulated. i am up 12 pounds since my move and i am seriously not happy. mainly because i dumped all my bigger clothes during the move and my clothes now just do not fit. not well, anyway.
so in the weeks leading to my half, i am determined to add 2 days of weight training in on mondays (easy run day) and thursday (easy bike day). in my very distant past, my weight training regimen consisted of 4 one hour lifting sessions throughout the week, alternating between upper and lower body, but that just seems like too much to do right now. i think for now i've got to put together a total body circuit that i can do in about an hour just twice a week. by may, i hope i'll have wrapped my head around the whole weight training thing and want to add at least another day. but we'll see. me and pain don't get along too well....
Saturday, March 24, 2007
crunch, crunch, crunch
that was me for 11 miles, as i ran on the gravel path along the canal. the run itself was pretty uneventful, which makes it one of the best runs i guess. the light was perfectly golden, the morning air felt heavenly on my skin, and it was much easier to breathe compared to my mid-day run yesterday. there really is nothing like running in the morning while the rest of the neighborhood sleeps. it's like the whole world is yours. only yours.
my watch was acting funky so i don't have any accurate splits to report. only that i finished in 2 hours and 10 minutes.
i also did a gel taste test. i've used sport beans and powergel in the past and have found that while the beans are tasty, they don't give me enough energy. and they're hard to eat while running. the powergels are okay but i feel like they're too big and sometimes too sweet. so this week, i brought along a tangerine powergel (with caffeine) and a vanilla gu. the gu comes in a smaller package, but the sales lady warned me that it would be thicker than the powergel. how could it possibly be thicker?!?!?! blech!
turns out though, the gu won out. and not just on flavor. (tangerine was way too sweet). the gu's thicker formula actually made it less messy and surprisingly faster and easier to choke down. or maybe that was the vanilla flavor that made it easy to eat.
i've got 9 more powergels to finish and a couple sports beans too. but after that i think i might be a strict gu only girl. hopefully the other flavors aren't too sweet, because i don't know if can stick with just vanilla my whole life. plus the vanilla doesn't have caffeine.
my watch was acting funky so i don't have any accurate splits to report. only that i finished in 2 hours and 10 minutes.
i also did a gel taste test. i've used sport beans and powergel in the past and have found that while the beans are tasty, they don't give me enough energy. and they're hard to eat while running. the powergels are okay but i feel like they're too big and sometimes too sweet. so this week, i brought along a tangerine powergel (with caffeine) and a vanilla gu. the gu comes in a smaller package, but the sales lady warned me that it would be thicker than the powergel. how could it possibly be thicker?!?!?! blech!
turns out though, the gu won out. and not just on flavor. (tangerine was way too sweet). the gu's thicker formula actually made it less messy and surprisingly faster and easier to choke down. or maybe that was the vanilla flavor that made it easy to eat.
i've got 9 more powergels to finish and a couple sports beans too. but after that i think i might be a strict gu only girl. hopefully the other flavors aren't too sweet, because i don't know if can stick with just vanilla my whole life. plus the vanilla doesn't have caffeine.
Friday, March 23, 2007
not today
the week has been busy, but i've been a good girl and have been getting my workouts in anyway.
i had to push my normal early am workout to late am, and i paid the price. it was 20 degrees hotter and they were cutting the grass. double poops! in the beginning, i tried to get my 5k done in 30 minutes, but not today. i had to settle for 33.
tomorrow 11 miles WILL get done. i'm going up to sac for a portfolio review this afternoon and staying with my brother and sister in law tonight. i'm hoping i can find a really great route to run along the river tomorrow morning.
have a great weekend, peeps!
i had to push my normal early am workout to late am, and i paid the price. it was 20 degrees hotter and they were cutting the grass. double poops! in the beginning, i tried to get my 5k done in 30 minutes, but not today. i had to settle for 33.
tomorrow 11 miles WILL get done. i'm going up to sac for a portfolio review this afternoon and staying with my brother and sister in law tonight. i'm hoping i can find a really great route to run along the river tomorrow morning.
have a great weekend, peeps!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
intervals x2
my legs were like lead during yesterday's bike workout. i found a new hill interval workout that made the hilly parts longer and it was damn near impossible for me to keep my rpms above 100 for the entire interval time. the thing about biking, unlike running, is that there is a point where my muscles just want to stop. while i can always at least put one front in front of the other when i'm pounding the pavement, there's an interval in nearly every bike workout where my legs just can't push the pedal and once i pass that they are moving so slow and with such effort that it's seriously laughable. the logical solution would be to decrease the resistance, but seriously people, i was on level 6, not 10. i'm just hoping that with time i'll pass the wimp stage and be able to go longer, faster, and harder.
thankfully, today's running interval workout went much better. on the docket: 20 x 400 @ 10:53 with 30 seconds recovery. i won't go through every interval, but including a 1 mile warmup, i ended up running 7 miles in total in 1:22:40. at the 60 minute mark, i had to reset the treadmill. apparently, the guy next to me was impressed because he gave me a big smile and a high five. i guess all the people at my gym aren't morons.
thankfully, today's running interval workout went much better. on the docket: 20 x 400 @ 10:53 with 30 seconds recovery. i won't go through every interval, but including a 1 mile warmup, i ended up running 7 miles in total in 1:22:40. at the 60 minute mark, i had to reset the treadmill. apparently, the guy next to me was impressed because he gave me a big smile and a high five. i guess all the people at my gym aren't morons.
Monday, March 19, 2007
69 things about me
ok joe, this is for you:
1. i really am petite. 5'3" tall. 28" inseam.
2. but i'm way taller than my mom. i think she's barely 5', if that.
3. i started running about a year ago.
4. before that, i dabbled in tae kwon do, kickboxing, a summer of tennis lessons, and random step aerobics classes.
5. but for the most part, i did absolutely nothing athletic or sporty.
6. in high school, i took phys ed in the summer at the community college because i wanted to take electives like yearbook and photography during the school year.
7. worked out better that way, since i'm a better graphic designer than i am a runner.
8. i chose my college based on the brochure. i'd never visited the school, much less the state, much less the coast it was on.
9. it's the only school i applied to and i sent in the application the night before.
10. i thought i'd come right back to california once i was done. i ended up staying for 6 more years.
11. now i'm back to "settle down".
12. ha! yeah, right.
13. it's march and i still have my tan lines from the summer.
14. i heart the summer.
15. i heart the beach.
16. i really am afraid of getting skin cancer but honestly, i'm more afraid of wrinkles.
17. but i can't help it, i love the sun.
18. sometimes my own driving gets me car sick.
19. i have a bad habit of making up weird nicknames for people. so far, no one has seemed to mind. but it isn't until much later that i think about how rude it is.
20. i am too honest. words stumble out of my mouth without me thinking sometimes.
21. now that i am 28, i'm beginning to regret getting my belly button pierced.
22. i do sometimes wish i could have my tongue ring back. but not enough to get it repierced.
23. my nose ring? cutest. thing. ever.
24. i have no tattoos. and don't ever want one.
25. i am a leo.
26. i don't believe too much in astrology, but everything they say about leos is very true for me.
27. if i won the lottery, i would never work again. i know people say they would or would work for charity or whatever. but not me.
28. i'd run in exotic locations, soak up the sun on every coast, perfect recipes for the lavish meals i'd cook for my family and friends, make jewelry, learn to sew, read more, explore, and best of all, take lots of naps.
29. i'm a food network whore.
30. even rachael ray's 30 minute meals.
31. she really annoys me, but i've learned a lot from watching her.
32. who i REALLY don't like is that giada delaurentis chick. barf!
33. never trust a skinny cook.
34. i've worked in restaurants, off and on, for over 10 years. even when i had a full-time office job.
35. when i was a kid, i went door to door to sell my drawings. and people actually bought them.
36. i like shopping at vintage and secondhand stores.
37. i drive a vw.
38. that's where my blog name came from.
39. i get really crabby when i'm hungry. or tired.
40. i have a pretty crass sense of humor. but i try to keep in check on my blog because i don't think it translates the same way on paper (er, on screen?)
41. i don't order dessert, unless it's creme brulee.
42. then i eat only the carmelized sugar.
43. lance armstrong really annoyed me until he ran the marathon.
44. then he became kinda cute.
45. i take 5 minute showers. actually, they're probably shorter.
46. i have this thing against wasting water.
47. i 've been to 23 states in the U.S.
48. i've gone to mardi gras, but never had a wild spring break.
49. easter is my favorite holiday.
50. fourth of july is a close second.
51. i know the greek alphabet, but not because i was in a sorority.
52. i know the sign language alphabet, but very few words.
53. i studied spanish for 7 1/2 years and speak it pretty poorly. what i have retained can only be attributed to my restaurant career.
54. making this list is harder than it seems. and sadly, it's pretty boring.
55. i'm surprised it doesn't have more to do with food.
56. i don't like when people call me "cute".
57. or when people call me "exotic".
58. i do like it when people call me funny.
59. i don't know if i'll ever be the type to have a running partner.
60. i think finding the right person to run with is the same science as finding a partner in life.
61. and i'm flying solo on both accounts so far.
62. i always somehow end up dating jocks, even though i was and am far from one.
63. i won the 2nd grade spelling bee. it's been downhill since then.
64. i have a voo doo doll.
65. my favorite color is red.
66. my favorite drink is beer. honestly and embarrassingly, i'll drink most any of it.
67. my favorite non-beer drink is a mojito.
68. my favorite time of the day is dawn.
69. my first race number was 69.
whew! i hope to bob i'm more interesting than this list. and i still owe you 31 more...
1. i really am petite. 5'3" tall. 28" inseam.
2. but i'm way taller than my mom. i think she's barely 5', if that.
3. i started running about a year ago.
4. before that, i dabbled in tae kwon do, kickboxing, a summer of tennis lessons, and random step aerobics classes.
5. but for the most part, i did absolutely nothing athletic or sporty.
6. in high school, i took phys ed in the summer at the community college because i wanted to take electives like yearbook and photography during the school year.
7. worked out better that way, since i'm a better graphic designer than i am a runner.
8. i chose my college based on the brochure. i'd never visited the school, much less the state, much less the coast it was on.
9. it's the only school i applied to and i sent in the application the night before.
10. i thought i'd come right back to california once i was done. i ended up staying for 6 more years.
11. now i'm back to "settle down".
12. ha! yeah, right.
13. it's march and i still have my tan lines from the summer.
14. i heart the summer.
15. i heart the beach.
16. i really am afraid of getting skin cancer but honestly, i'm more afraid of wrinkles.
17. but i can't help it, i love the sun.
18. sometimes my own driving gets me car sick.
19. i have a bad habit of making up weird nicknames for people. so far, no one has seemed to mind. but it isn't until much later that i think about how rude it is.
20. i am too honest. words stumble out of my mouth without me thinking sometimes.
21. now that i am 28, i'm beginning to regret getting my belly button pierced.
22. i do sometimes wish i could have my tongue ring back. but not enough to get it repierced.
23. my nose ring? cutest. thing. ever.
24. i have no tattoos. and don't ever want one.
25. i am a leo.
26. i don't believe too much in astrology, but everything they say about leos is very true for me.
27. if i won the lottery, i would never work again. i know people say they would or would work for charity or whatever. but not me.
28. i'd run in exotic locations, soak up the sun on every coast, perfect recipes for the lavish meals i'd cook for my family and friends, make jewelry, learn to sew, read more, explore, and best of all, take lots of naps.
29. i'm a food network whore.
30. even rachael ray's 30 minute meals.
31. she really annoys me, but i've learned a lot from watching her.
32. who i REALLY don't like is that giada delaurentis chick. barf!
33. never trust a skinny cook.
34. i've worked in restaurants, off and on, for over 10 years. even when i had a full-time office job.
35. when i was a kid, i went door to door to sell my drawings. and people actually bought them.
36. i like shopping at vintage and secondhand stores.
37. i drive a vw.
38. that's where my blog name came from.
39. i get really crabby when i'm hungry. or tired.
40. i have a pretty crass sense of humor. but i try to keep in check on my blog because i don't think it translates the same way on paper (er, on screen?)
41. i don't order dessert, unless it's creme brulee.
42. then i eat only the carmelized sugar.
43. lance armstrong really annoyed me until he ran the marathon.
44. then he became kinda cute.
45. i take 5 minute showers. actually, they're probably shorter.
46. i have this thing against wasting water.
47. i 've been to 23 states in the U.S.
48. i've gone to mardi gras, but never had a wild spring break.
49. easter is my favorite holiday.
50. fourth of july is a close second.
51. i know the greek alphabet, but not because i was in a sorority.
52. i know the sign language alphabet, but very few words.
53. i studied spanish for 7 1/2 years and speak it pretty poorly. what i have retained can only be attributed to my restaurant career.
54. making this list is harder than it seems. and sadly, it's pretty boring.
55. i'm surprised it doesn't have more to do with food.
56. i don't like when people call me "cute".
57. or when people call me "exotic".
58. i do like it when people call me funny.
59. i don't know if i'll ever be the type to have a running partner.
60. i think finding the right person to run with is the same science as finding a partner in life.
61. and i'm flying solo on both accounts so far.
62. i always somehow end up dating jocks, even though i was and am far from one.
63. i won the 2nd grade spelling bee. it's been downhill since then.
64. i have a voo doo doll.
65. my favorite color is red.
66. my favorite drink is beer. honestly and embarrassingly, i'll drink most any of it.
67. my favorite non-beer drink is a mojito.
68. my favorite time of the day is dawn.
69. my first race number was 69.
whew! i hope to bob i'm more interesting than this list. and i still owe you 31 more...
a new proverb
today it's: a rolling stone gathers no moss. wa-hoo.
i took phil's advice and just got my ass outta bed. no snooze. no thinking. no excuses. i was a little wary about starting at 6:20 with no sun but figured the streetlights would be enough to not get me killed. i didn't really have a plan either. i knew there was no way i could get in the 11 miles i had missed, but figured i had about an hour and 40 minutes until i had to really start my day. at first i thought i'd do just 5. then it turned to 6. and at 6, with half an hour still left to kill, i figured i may as well eke out the last 2 and make it an even 8.
no time records were broken but it sure feels good to have that one big item checked off my list in the morning.
i took phil's advice and just got my ass outta bed. no snooze. no thinking. no excuses. i was a little wary about starting at 6:20 with no sun but figured the streetlights would be enough to not get me killed. i didn't really have a plan either. i knew there was no way i could get in the 11 miles i had missed, but figured i had about an hour and 40 minutes until i had to really start my day. at first i thought i'd do just 5. then it turned to 6. and at 6, with half an hour still left to kill, i figured i may as well eke out the last 2 and make it an even 8.
no time records were broken but it sure feels good to have that one big item checked off my list in the morning.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
how's that saying go again?
the early bird gets the worm?
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?
each day over the last three days, i woke up feeling not 100%. either i was a little dehydrated, or a little bloated, felt i had too much to do, or felt a little too preoccupied. so i skipped my morning workouts, promising myself i'd squeeze it in later on in the day and that i'd do it better, harder, faster.
i never did. on any of the past three days.
a workout, any workout, even at 80% is better than no workout at all. and my 11 mile long run has been hanging over my head for three whole days and counting...
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?
each day over the last three days, i woke up feeling not 100%. either i was a little dehydrated, or a little bloated, felt i had too much to do, or felt a little too preoccupied. so i skipped my morning workouts, promising myself i'd squeeze it in later on in the day and that i'd do it better, harder, faster.
i never did. on any of the past three days.
a workout, any workout, even at 80% is better than no workout at all. and my 11 mile long run has been hanging over my head for three whole days and counting...
Thursday, March 15, 2007
shutterbug
 |
| IDES OF MARCH RUN 2007 |
my easy 3 mile run consisted of more photography than actual running. but it's not a bad way to spend an hour in the morning :) click on the photo above to see a few snapshots of the neighborhood i call home.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
makes me want to table dance
did you know the song "hyponotize" is perfect for keeping an 11 minute mile pace? i put it on repeat once i figured out that my footsteps aligned perfectly with the beat. and i couldn't help but recall julia stile's table dance in 10 things i hate about you. love that movie!
today's "speed" intervals called for 3 x 1600 @ 10:57 with 800 recovery.
1600 warm up: 13:47
1600: 10:54
800 rec: 6:30
1600:10:54
800 rec: 7:03
1600: 10:50
800 rec: 6:52
1600 cool down: 13:51
6.5 miles: 1:20:45
i'm beginning to think the treadmill and i aren't friends anymore. i've gotten used to running outside and found it hard to keep my mental game from ruining me. plus my sweat does not evaporate like it does when i'm outside. sometimes i think running outside, even with the hills, is easier based on the sheer evaporation factor. but i think mostly though, my hips and glutes were still a little worn out from my workout yesterday because when i finished my last interval and stopped to walk, i could feel they were tight and tired.
although, the gym DOES supply a good amount of people watching. this chick got on an elliptical in front of me wearing: sunglasses, a punk rock t shirt, jeans, and flip flops! and was talking on her cell the ENTIRE 20 minutes she was on it. wtf?
and on the other spectrum, i watched this chick do pullups. PULLUPS people!! i almost think i'd rather be able to do ONE pullup than win a million dollars.
today's "speed" intervals called for 3 x 1600 @ 10:57 with 800 recovery.
1600 warm up: 13:47
1600: 10:54
800 rec: 6:30
1600:10:54
800 rec: 7:03
1600: 10:50
800 rec: 6:52
1600 cool down: 13:51
6.5 miles: 1:20:45
i'm beginning to think the treadmill and i aren't friends anymore. i've gotten used to running outside and found it hard to keep my mental game from ruining me. plus my sweat does not evaporate like it does when i'm outside. sometimes i think running outside, even with the hills, is easier based on the sheer evaporation factor. but i think mostly though, my hips and glutes were still a little worn out from my workout yesterday because when i finished my last interval and stopped to walk, i could feel they were tight and tired.
although, the gym DOES supply a good amount of people watching. this chick got on an elliptical in front of me wearing: sunglasses, a punk rock t shirt, jeans, and flip flops! and was talking on her cell the ENTIRE 20 minutes she was on it. wtf?
and on the other spectrum, i watched this chick do pullups. PULLUPS people!! i almost think i'd rather be able to do ONE pullup than win a million dollars.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
go legs go!
i got in 14.75 miles in an hour on the bike today! when i got up off up off the bike to towel it off, i swear to bob i thought my legs were going to buckle under me. and if these damn bike sessions do not give me the ass i want by summer, i don't know what will! my glutes have never felt like this before.
the hill interval setting on the bike does a one minute hill and a one minute rest. at some point in the beginning it does a longer moderate hill. i keep my rpms above 100 for the hills and between 60 and 80 for the rest. but i'd like to try to do longer hill intervals. i'll have to see if this can be accomplished by increasing the level or just doing in manually. though i can see my lazy ass coasting more than climbing if left to my own devices.
in any case, i'm pretty excited to have embraced the dreaded bike. it's great to have another outlet that i can track and improve on in and of itself AND help my running at the same time! at some point i'll pick up swimming again, because lord knows my upperbody needs some work.
the hill interval setting on the bike does a one minute hill and a one minute rest. at some point in the beginning it does a longer moderate hill. i keep my rpms above 100 for the hills and between 60 and 80 for the rest. but i'd like to try to do longer hill intervals. i'll have to see if this can be accomplished by increasing the level or just doing in manually. though i can see my lazy ass coasting more than climbing if left to my own devices.
in any case, i'm pretty excited to have embraced the dreaded bike. it's great to have another outlet that i can track and improve on in and of itself AND help my running at the same time! at some point i'll pick up swimming again, because lord knows my upperbody needs some work.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
race report: petite pigtails and the sexy dance
maybe it was the gorgeous weather, or my somewhat busy week, but i just really didn't feel like racing today. the weekend weather was promising to be picture perfect and by friday, the temps were climbing into the high 70s. instead of celebrating spring with healthy, outdoor activities, i chose to dine alfresco with some ice, cold brews. when given the option between beer and racing, it appears my loyalties lie with beer :)
but even without the pressure of racing, i STILL couldn't sleep the night before. and as usual, i had some funky dreams, none of which i can remember right now. something about getting lost, or forgetting my id or something. anyway, we were up before the sun and on the way to the race we caught some great views of the sunrise.
the half marathoners took off first and the swarm of bobbing heads snaked around the stadium. Once they had a 10 minute head start, they unleashed us 5kers. as always, i positioned myself in the back because i'm slow and i didn't want to get in anyone's way. turns out that was a ba d idea. nothing against walkers, but they always travel in packs and it's a pain to swerve around them. why weren't THEY in the back?
but it probably did me some good, in terms of not starting me out too fast. earlier in the week i had planned on frontloading the run, considering my weekend extra curricular activities, i decided it best to save my energy.
the three miles went pretty fast actually. for most of the race, i tailed this really tall guy with a long red pony tail. he was easy to spot and kept me at a good pace. towards the end though, i just up and passed him. i wish i had more to report, but 31 minutes goes by pretty quickly. YES I SAID 31 MINUTES!!! which if you've been following along, is more than a minute faster than my 5k last month! i always knew corona was good for you!
here are my amazing splits: (well amazing for ME anyway)
1: 11:05
2: 10:21
3: 9:43
i wasn't even looking at my watch really until after i passed pony tail guy. and i was shocked! i kicked it up in the last leg, but the finish line was so crowded narrow it was hard to really zoom in. i think i'm really starting to get the hang of this 5k thing...
here's me after the finish, with my petite pony tails:
after the race, my parents and i met up with my brothers, sister in law, and nephew. we napped, took the lil one to the park, ate the biggest lunch known to man, then sat like logs while my nephew provided the entertainment, doing his little sexy dance. who knows where he picked this up!
but even without the pressure of racing, i STILL couldn't sleep the night before. and as usual, i had some funky dreams, none of which i can remember right now. something about getting lost, or forgetting my id or something. anyway, we were up before the sun and on the way to the race we caught some great views of the sunrise.
the half marathoners took off first and the swarm of bobbing heads snaked around the stadium. Once they had a 10 minute head start, they unleashed us 5kers. as always, i positioned myself in the back because i'm slow and i didn't want to get in anyone's way. turns out that was a ba d idea. nothing against walkers, but they always travel in packs and it's a pain to swerve around them. why weren't THEY in the back?
but it probably did me some good, in terms of not starting me out too fast. earlier in the week i had planned on frontloading the run, considering my weekend extra curricular activities, i decided it best to save my energy.
the three miles went pretty fast actually. for most of the race, i tailed this really tall guy with a long red pony tail. he was easy to spot and kept me at a good pace. towards the end though, i just up and passed him. i wish i had more to report, but 31 minutes goes by pretty quickly. YES I SAID 31 MINUTES!!! which if you've been following along, is more than a minute faster than my 5k last month! i always knew corona was good for you!
here are my amazing splits: (well amazing for ME anyway)
1: 11:05
2: 10:21
3: 9:43
i wasn't even looking at my watch really until after i passed pony tail guy. and i was shocked! i kicked it up in the last leg, but the finish line was so crowded narrow it was hard to really zoom in. i think i'm really starting to get the hang of this 5k thing...
here's me after the finish, with my petite pony tails:
after the race, my parents and i met up with my brothers, sister in law, and nephew. we napped, took the lil one to the park, ate the biggest lunch known to man, then sat like logs while my nephew provided the entertainment, doing his little sexy dance. who knows where he picked this up!
Friday, March 09, 2007
mmmmm beer....
that's all i have to say about that.
wonder if my cycling workout will really happen tomroow morning.
wonder if my cycling workout will really happen tomroow morning.
green light!
i bumped my long run to today since i have a race on sunday and i didn't want to do them back to back. the 10 i ran today wasn't nearly as easy as my 9 on sunday, but i finished, if just barely. instead of running 2 loops around the golf course i ran on sunday, i decided to run TO the golf course, do the loop then run back home. though it still put a hill in the beginning and end of my run! i can't escape the damn things. i guess that's the price you pay for wanting have a great view of the little people below you ;)
one cool thing was that i caught every green light along the way, never having to stop at one intersection! all went smoothly til around mile 7. autopilot turned off; my body was just tired. i popped some sport beans at that point thinking that it might give me a boost. and it did for about a mile. (the jelly belly factory is in my hometown and they sell the "belly flops" (huge bags of mixed mess ups) for practically nothing...i wonder if they sell belly flops of the sport ones too...i'll have to investigate) though i'm thinking that the powergel works better for me because of the caffeine (which i never have since i don't drink coffee or soda) and the power gels claim to have 2-4x the sodium!
anyway, the last two miles consisted of a tired, tired petite chick shuffling along the street . but i made it. even up the last damned hill. and now i can shower, eat, nap and watch soaps...
my slow @ss splits:
1: 12:31
2: 12:05
3: 12:03
4: 12:25
5: 12:45
6: 12:32
7: 13:01
8: 12:21
9: 12:35
10: 13:31
one cool thing was that i caught every green light along the way, never having to stop at one intersection! all went smoothly til around mile 7. autopilot turned off; my body was just tired. i popped some sport beans at that point thinking that it might give me a boost. and it did for about a mile. (the jelly belly factory is in my hometown and they sell the "belly flops" (huge bags of mixed mess ups) for practically nothing...i wonder if they sell belly flops of the sport ones too...i'll have to investigate) though i'm thinking that the powergel works better for me because of the caffeine (which i never have since i don't drink coffee or soda) and the power gels claim to have 2-4x the sodium!
anyway, the last two miles consisted of a tired, tired petite chick shuffling along the street . but i made it. even up the last damned hill. and now i can shower, eat, nap and watch soaps...
my slow @ss splits:
1: 12:31
2: 12:05
3: 12:03
4: 12:25
5: 12:45
6: 12:32
7: 13:01
8: 12:21
9: 12:35
10: 13:31
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
more bike questions
3 easy miles on the treadmill and 6 on the bike. and i have a question.
is there a difference between the upright bike and the recumbent bike? (i had to look it up online to know what to call them, instead of the upright one and the not upright one) i used the recumbent one today because there was a smelly looking man in the middle of the uprights so i grabbed a bike as far away from him and it happen to be a recumbent one. i felt it more in my hamstrings and glutes, which for me is a good thing. i would assume the recumbent one puts less strain on your back as well. but other than that are there benefits and/or drawbacks to either?
i have another race on sunday, and to be honest i'm kind of over races right now. i'd like to focus on my big one next month which is the half-marathon, so i might just scoot my long run up to friday and front-load 2 miles onto the 5k on sunday and use it as my speed workout.
and this week. the weather calls for clear skies. FINALLY a race with no rain!
is there a difference between the upright bike and the recumbent bike? (i had to look it up online to know what to call them, instead of the upright one and the not upright one) i used the recumbent one today because there was a smelly looking man in the middle of the uprights so i grabbed a bike as far away from him and it happen to be a recumbent one. i felt it more in my hamstrings and glutes, which for me is a good thing. i would assume the recumbent one puts less strain on your back as well. but other than that are there benefits and/or drawbacks to either?
i have another race on sunday, and to be honest i'm kind of over races right now. i'd like to focus on my big one next month which is the half-marathon, so i might just scoot my long run up to friday and front-load 2 miles onto the 5k on sunday and use it as my speed workout.
and this week. the weather calls for clear skies. FINALLY a race with no rain!
Monday, March 05, 2007
when i was even more petite
i was doing some cleaning and found a whole bunch of old photos. they are too embarrassing not to share.
now you can say you've seen me naked.
and in my nightie.
bowl haircut.
mullet. (god this picture SLAYS me!)
yes, i'm wearing a new kids on the block shirt. yes, my guess jeans are skin tight. yes, my bangs are 5 inches tall.
buddha belly!
how i got that belly.
first grade.
now you can say you've seen me naked.
and in my nightie.
bowl haircut.
mullet. (god this picture SLAYS me!)
yes, i'm wearing a new kids on the block shirt. yes, my guess jeans are skin tight. yes, my bangs are 5 inches tall.
buddha belly!
how i got that belly.
first grade.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
a glorious nine
after my great run yesterday, i decided i would keep the momentum going and go for 9 today. and a glorious 9 it was. the temperature ranged in the 50s, the sun was shining, and the humidity i so often trudged through back east was non-existent. this day was a gift from the running gods, and i took it.
the first 2 miles of my 5 mile loop were uphill, consisting of 2 hard inclines and a handful of easier inclines. it made starting my run kind of grueling, but ending it oh so sweet. and in-between, the time somehow vanished away. it took nearly 2 hours to finish but not once didi hear the clock ticking, not once did i ask myself, am i almost done? i can't remember anything i thought about to occupy my mind, the minutes and the miles just seemed to add up, without me counting. it just felt good. today's run was like a little gift i gave myself.
my splits:
1: 13:41
2: 12:00
3: 11:40
4: 11:36
5: 12:43 (this is where i looped back to my car to take off my vest)
6: 11:54
7: 11:49
8: 11:45
9: 12:24
T: 1:49:35
the first 2 miles of my 5 mile loop were uphill, consisting of 2 hard inclines and a handful of easier inclines. it made starting my run kind of grueling, but ending it oh so sweet. and in-between, the time somehow vanished away. it took nearly 2 hours to finish but not once didi hear the clock ticking, not once did i ask myself, am i almost done? i can't remember anything i thought about to occupy my mind, the minutes and the miles just seemed to add up, without me counting. it just felt good. today's run was like a little gift i gave myself.
my splits:
1: 13:41
2: 12:00
3: 11:40
4: 11:36
5: 12:43 (this is where i looped back to my car to take off my vest)
6: 11:54
7: 11:49
8: 11:45
9: 12:24
T: 1:49:35
Saturday, March 03, 2007
breakin' in my new kicks
the last 2 runs i've had were plain sucky. my easy run didn't feel easy at all and my 6 mile tempo run turned into a 3 mile suck-fest. it's like someone had poured cement into my shoes and veins.today i realized i was just mentally pushing myself too hard. after a month of training for 2 races where i totally surprised myself, i had switched into type-a mode and my running turned into numbers and performance. my running had become work.
so i took the pressure off and told myself to just have FUN. my plan was to log in an hour on the treadmill but not worry about speed or time. i didn't bring my watch and covered up the display panel. and i ran to my heart's content. when my hour was up, i felt i could go for more, but i considered myself victorious for the day and decided to take an extra long time stretching.
i like this kind of running much better.
on another note, i finally decided i was about due for new shoes. one pair was already a year old and the one i trained in the most was about 9 months old. to my excitement, my custom orthotics meant i could ditch the heavy frankenstein motion control shoes for a lighter stability shoe. the difference is only a few ounces, but i could feel the difference instantly. my new brooks adrenalines feel super great: supportive yet cushiony. they honestly feel like i'm not wearing shoes at all. we'll see how they perform in the next 7 weeks leading up to santa cruz!
Friday, March 02, 2007
bugs all around
i have been trying to leave comments for people, but the visual verification thingee isnt showing me what i need to type to get my comments registered. bad, bad, blogger!
blogger isn't the only thing with a bug. it seems i have a stomach thingee that makes me feel like i wanna hurl, without actually making me hurl. and we won't speak about what it's doing to my other end.
this is probably the second or third time i've felt this way since i moved home 3 months ago.... i'm starting to get a little concerned about why this feeling keep recurring. (and i'm not pregnant. really. i'm not.)
maybe i need to start keeping a food and poop journal. gee, that sounds fun! but what would i call it?
blogger isn't the only thing with a bug. it seems i have a stomach thingee that makes me feel like i wanna hurl, without actually making me hurl. and we won't speak about what it's doing to my other end.
this is probably the second or third time i've felt this way since i moved home 3 months ago.... i'm starting to get a little concerned about why this feeling keep recurring. (and i'm not pregnant. really. i'm not.)
maybe i need to start keeping a food and poop journal. gee, that sounds fun! but what would i call it?
Thursday, March 01, 2007
T minus 8 months!
it took 2 hours, but i'm FINALLY registered!
for the nike women's marathon on october 21!
yippee skippeeee!!!!!!! wahoooooooo!!!!!oh yeah!!!!!!!!
...
...
...
oh. shit.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
speed trap
as i coasted down the last hill of my run, i approached one of those speed trap machines.
"YOUR SPEED IS...6" it read.
you mean people, not just cars, big suvs and trucks, register on those things?? maybe i was hallucinating. or maybe i really am as big as a small volkswagen.
"YOUR SPEED IS...6" it read.
you mean people, not just cars, big suvs and trucks, register on those things?? maybe i was hallucinating. or maybe i really am as big as a small volkswagen.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
"spinning"
i wanted to make the 6am spin class today to see if this instructor was less annoying than the pm one. but alas, even after setting 2 different alarms, i didn't get up in time to make the class.
but still i was up before the sun and headed to the gym anyway and made my own spin class. it ended up being much more enjoyable. my own music and no annoying instructor. and the room was much cooler than the cycling studio, which is more like a sauna. i picked a hill interval course and had the machine set between levels 8 and 12. i tried to keep my rpms above 90 during the hills and at around 60 for the recoverys. i'll have to do some research on cycling workouts and hopefully i can challenge myself on the bike without the need for a class at a set time and place.
looks like i'm a lone wolf when it comes to exercise and training. other people's yapping and yammering just annoys the holy hell out of me.
but still i was up before the sun and headed to the gym anyway and made my own spin class. it ended up being much more enjoyable. my own music and no annoying instructor. and the room was much cooler than the cycling studio, which is more like a sauna. i picked a hill interval course and had the machine set between levels 8 and 12. i tried to keep my rpms above 90 during the hills and at around 60 for the recoverys. i'll have to do some research on cycling workouts and hopefully i can challenge myself on the bike without the need for a class at a set time and place.
looks like i'm a lone wolf when it comes to exercise and training. other people's yapping and yammering just annoys the holy hell out of me.
Monday, February 26, 2007
gearing up
i just realized that in the last 2-3 weeks i've acquired quite a number of new "toys" for my running. yet i also seem to want more. here are a few of my latest purchases:
FINALLY! A WATCH! and on clearance at target, so how could i pass it up?! i was worried i wouldn't like how it felt or how the sweat would collect under the band, but i'm finding it very comfortable, both when i'm running and when i'm not. the only thing i seem to forget is to stop the watch when i'm done. so i have this random endless last lap at the end of all my workouts. and my watch is pink, not this blue...i feel appropriately sporty, yet chic.
especially when paired with my new running skirt! i heart heart heart running skirts. shorty shorts were never that flattering on me, but shorty skirts, well who can't help but look super flirty?! and guess what ladies, they're on sale at skirtsports.com. well kinda. they're running a promotion to trade in your old running shorts for a pair of their skirts at 45% off.. you can either do it through the mail or through a local participating retailer. in my opinion, skirts are far more comfortable and for my legs, much more flattering.
that being said, i bought a pair of cycling/tri shorts with the crotch padding and the leg grippy things. the most unflattering item of clothing i own, except that they have butt enhancing properties. and they make spinning bearable. i should've picked up two pairs since they were half off, but i'm still a little too shy to jump on the cycling bandwagon. especially since i don't even have a bike yet!!
i've been wanting this little gadget for forever! i even got a free shoe wallet at fleet feet, so i was set to go with out having to buy nike shoes. it keeps track of distance and speed, and can even log your workout online. when motivation is waning , you can conjure up your "power song" with a push of a button. it also has verbal motivation whenever you want it. you can also challenge other runners (or yourself) to meet certain distance, speed, or calorie goals.
speaking of motivation, these cadences absolutely ROCK! i also downloaded a few of the men's cadences. i find they're 1. entertaining 2. help you keep your mind off of running 3. make you feel like part of a big group, even if you're running alone. they helped me keep a good even pace for my 10k race. i think they'll be good to use for tempo runs and sprinkled into my long run playlists.
FINALLY! A WATCH! and on clearance at target, so how could i pass it up?! i was worried i wouldn't like how it felt or how the sweat would collect under the band, but i'm finding it very comfortable, both when i'm running and when i'm not. the only thing i seem to forget is to stop the watch when i'm done. so i have this random endless last lap at the end of all my workouts. and my watch is pink, not this blue...i feel appropriately sporty, yet chic. 
especially when paired with my new running skirt! i heart heart heart running skirts. shorty shorts were never that flattering on me, but shorty skirts, well who can't help but look super flirty?! and guess what ladies, they're on sale at skirtsports.com. well kinda. they're running a promotion to trade in your old running shorts for a pair of their skirts at 45% off.. you can either do it through the mail or through a local participating retailer. in my opinion, skirts are far more comfortable and for my legs, much more flattering.
that being said, i bought a pair of cycling/tri shorts with the crotch padding and the leg grippy things. the most unflattering item of clothing i own, except that they have butt enhancing properties. and they make spinning bearable. i should've picked up two pairs since they were half off, but i'm still a little too shy to jump on the cycling bandwagon. especially since i don't even have a bike yet!!
i've been wanting this little gadget for forever! i even got a free shoe wallet at fleet feet, so i was set to go with out having to buy nike shoes. it keeps track of distance and speed, and can even log your workout online. when motivation is waning , you can conjure up your "power song" with a push of a button. it also has verbal motivation whenever you want it. you can also challenge other runners (or yourself) to meet certain distance, speed, or calorie goals.
speaking of motivation, these cadences absolutely ROCK! i also downloaded a few of the men's cadences. i find they're 1. entertaining 2. help you keep your mind off of running 3. make you feel like part of a big group, even if you're running alone. they helped me keep a good even pace for my 10k race. i think they'll be good to use for tempo runs and sprinkled into my long run playlists.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
race report: i love 69
10k race day! with rain! it seems that no matter how beautiful the weather can get here in february, it still manages to rain on my race days.
but so far the rain has been a bit of a good luck charm because i finished in good time. 69 minutes and some change which beats my 10k time back in june of 71 minutes. and actually, because of some confused race volunteer, between mile 1 and 2 we were steered in the wrong direction and we had to back track to get back on the course. so who knows what my real time was for the actual 10k distance. i was too flustered and intent on making up time that i didn't think to check my watch and time how long it took to get back on track. oh well.
here are my splits:
1: 15:04 (this is where we "got lost")
2: 10:27
3: 10:35
4: 10:30
5 to finish: 23:06 (i swear to bob there was no marker for mile 5 or 6, trust me i was looking.)
to see splits run under 11 minutes absolutely blows my mind. and i think i would have pushed harder had i seen the mile markers for 5 and 6. knowing how far i've come and how far i have left really helps with my mental game. when i'm running. with no idea on distance, even a mile seems like it could go on forever.
so with a job well done, we celebrated with some fabulous texas barbecue and a long nap on the couch. mmmm mmmm...
but so far the rain has been a bit of a good luck charm because i finished in good time. 69 minutes and some change which beats my 10k time back in june of 71 minutes. and actually, because of some confused race volunteer, between mile 1 and 2 we were steered in the wrong direction and we had to back track to get back on the course. so who knows what my real time was for the actual 10k distance. i was too flustered and intent on making up time that i didn't think to check my watch and time how long it took to get back on track. oh well.
here are my splits:
1: 15:04 (this is where we "got lost")
2: 10:27
3: 10:35
4: 10:30
5 to finish: 23:06 (i swear to bob there was no marker for mile 5 or 6, trust me i was looking.)
to see splits run under 11 minutes absolutely blows my mind. and i think i would have pushed harder had i seen the mile markers for 5 and 6. knowing how far i've come and how far i have left really helps with my mental game. when i'm running. with no idea on distance, even a mile seems like it could go on forever.
so with a job well done, we celebrated with some fabulous texas barbecue and a long nap on the couch. mmmm mmmm...
Thursday, February 22, 2007
option to rest
i didn't make it to cowboy boogie this week. i was feeling BEAT after tuesday's spin class and i realized i hadn't had a rest day since last tuesday. so even though the class didn't sound strenuous, i just didn't have enough oomph to get ready in time for class anyway.
instead, i went to a food show with my brother.
yes, i said a food show. sounds like heaven, huh? my brother is a chef for a hotel, so it's his job to go to these things. hundreds of vendors offering their very best meats, seafood, desserts, ice creams, pastas, soups, salads, hors dourves (i called them appetizers and my brother got mad at me), coffees, teas, etc. etc. there was even an area devoted to pickles. and even though the convention hall was huge and we walked the entire day, i was stuffed to the gills.
i felt slightly guilty for skipping the gym to gorge, but at least my legs don't feel so tight and i can get in a speed workout tomorrow before my 10k race on sunday.
instead, i went to a food show with my brother.
yes, i said a food show. sounds like heaven, huh? my brother is a chef for a hotel, so it's his job to go to these things. hundreds of vendors offering their very best meats, seafood, desserts, ice creams, pastas, soups, salads, hors dourves (i called them appetizers and my brother got mad at me), coffees, teas, etc. etc. there was even an area devoted to pickles. and even though the convention hall was huge and we walked the entire day, i was stuffed to the gills.
i felt slightly guilty for skipping the gym to gorge, but at least my legs don't feel so tight and i can get in a speed workout tomorrow before my 10k race on sunday.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
saddle up
tonight, spin class #2 was made much more comfortable with my new super duper crotch and butt padded tri shorts that i got for half off on saturday! not only do they have padding that makes me feel like the little girl in the charmin commercial who stuffs her shorts full o' t.p. before she learns to roller skate (or is it ride a bike?) but the cuffs of the legs have super suction grippers to keep the shorts from riding up (and make my thighs look like juicy sausages).
but really i'm not thinking of that during class. i'm concentrating on the intense burning in my quads and the seriously annoying instructor who does not stop talking. i have a perma-grimace on my face the entire class just so she stays away and doesn't try to do anything stupid like crank up my resistance or try to talk to me. because who knows what i would do. probably some hairpulling.....as if i had the strength.
tomorrow will be easier, though. i'm taking a class called cowboy boogie. here's the description: Cowboy Boogie™ is a fun and hip country-inspired dance workout! In the 30-minute class, participants can improve their cardiovascular endurance through sexy country dance moves including Save a Horse, Saddle Up and Alley Cat. Each class ends with a 24 Hour Fitness signature line dance.
and if i haven't doubled over in laughter by the end of that class, i might take the strip aerobics class after. that FOR SURE will get me laughing. unless i can do some tequila shots before class...
and what exactly do you wear to these kinds of classes??
Monday, February 19, 2007
argh!!!
i was practically riding on air after my 8 mile run today. last week, i ran my 8 miles on the treadmill in 1:43. the last mile and a half sucked and i was hot and sweaty by the end. this week, i ran the 2 mile loop around the lake 4 times and finished in 1:26. i finished strong and felt light and cool nearly the entire run.
but when i looked at my splits, i knew something was amiss. check 'em out:
1: 11:45
2: 10:52
3: 12:07
4: 10:01
(walk and gu)
5: 12:44
6: 9:40
7: 11:08
8: 8:20
obviously, the trail is mismarked. god damned rangers!! the odd numbered miles make sense, but the even numbered miles, uh, not so much. i felt so so so good after my run and now i feel totally robbed!! i checked google pedometer and it looks like the entire loop is only 1.82 miles, which means i only ran about 7.3 miles.
but even so, at the pace i was running, i'm estimating that it would have really taken me 1:34 to finish the 8 miles and that is 9 minutes faster than last week. not only that, i finished STRONG this week, with my splits getting faster. my ability to push through fatigue in the later miles is one of the things that impresses me most about my running. it's one way that my impatience pays off, i think.
so now i know to have to tack on a little more to each loop the next time i run it if i want it to be an even 2 miles.
but when i looked at my splits, i knew something was amiss. check 'em out:
1: 11:45
2: 10:52
3: 12:07
4: 10:01
(walk and gu)
5: 12:44
6: 9:40
7: 11:08
8: 8:20
obviously, the trail is mismarked. god damned rangers!! the odd numbered miles make sense, but the even numbered miles, uh, not so much. i felt so so so good after my run and now i feel totally robbed!! i checked google pedometer and it looks like the entire loop is only 1.82 miles, which means i only ran about 7.3 miles.
but even so, at the pace i was running, i'm estimating that it would have really taken me 1:34 to finish the 8 miles and that is 9 minutes faster than last week. not only that, i finished STRONG this week, with my splits getting faster. my ability to push through fatigue in the later miles is one of the things that impresses me most about my running. it's one way that my impatience pays off, i think.
so now i know to have to tack on a little more to each loop the next time i run it if i want it to be an even 2 miles.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
my mom is the cutest thing ever
my mom turned 60 last july. i certainly don't think of her as that old. maybe because i don't really think of myself as that old. i've been telling her she should color her hair to cover her grey. not because i think she looks bad or that she has to hide that she's 60. i just think there's no reason that she shouldn't have the dark hair she had when she was younger. i don't think that she has to accept looking a certain way because that is her chronological age. my mom may be 60, but she has the endless spirit and spunk of a woman my age.
so yesterday, when i went with her to get her hair cut, she just decided to do it. color her hair, cover up the grey.
and since yesterday afternoon, she cannot stop looking in the mirror. the second we got home she changed and put on makeup. she grinned ear to ear all day. she must have tried 10 different outfits before church today. and i have never seen my mom preen so much in front of the mirror. it's like she couldn't get enough of herself.
and i was just so happy and proud for her. because i know that my mom doesn't ever really feel as old as she is. and i am loving the fact that she shows it on the outside! watching her feel good about herself makes ME feel like a million bucks. like I'M the one that got the makeover! it's just totally frickin' awesome!
so yesterday, when i went with her to get her hair cut, she just decided to do it. color her hair, cover up the grey.
and since yesterday afternoon, she cannot stop looking in the mirror. the second we got home she changed and put on makeup. she grinned ear to ear all day. she must have tried 10 different outfits before church today. and i have never seen my mom preen so much in front of the mirror. it's like she couldn't get enough of herself.
and i was just so happy and proud for her. because i know that my mom doesn't ever really feel as old as she is. and i am loving the fact that she shows it on the outside! watching her feel good about herself makes ME feel like a million bucks. like I'M the one that got the makeover! it's just totally frickin' awesome!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
pain in my crotch
yeah, it hurts. and i can already feel the soreness settling into my legs. oof.
will i do it again? hell yeah. not 'cause it's fun or thrilling or all the other things crazy people exclaim when they leave spin class. i'll do it again because it was damned hard. and i kinda like that.
----------
on the schedule this morning: intervals. but how the heck is a mile an interval? that's like...too long to be an interval! but the schedule said 5 miles, 2 x 1600 @ 11:04 with 800 rec. here's how it went down:
1600: 14:23
1600: 11:03
800: 6:57
1600: 10:52
2400: 20:54 ( i forgot to take my split time between my recovery and cooldown)
the first half of the workout was decent but i kinda fell apart during the last half. my ipod died somewhere during my warmup and i could not think of anything decent to daydream about. all i kept saying to myself was, "when is this gonna be over already?"
the upside is that today is already gorgeous and it looks like it's gonna get up to 73. the same goes for tomorrow. hopefully i can soak up some sun to banish my pms blues.
will i do it again? hell yeah. not 'cause it's fun or thrilling or all the other things crazy people exclaim when they leave spin class. i'll do it again because it was damned hard. and i kinda like that.
----------
on the schedule this morning: intervals. but how the heck is a mile an interval? that's like...too long to be an interval! but the schedule said 5 miles, 2 x 1600 @ 11:04 with 800 rec. here's how it went down:
1600: 14:23
1600: 11:03
800: 6:57
1600: 10:52
2400: 20:54 ( i forgot to take my split time between my recovery and cooldown)
the first half of the workout was decent but i kinda fell apart during the last half. my ipod died somewhere during my warmup and i could not think of anything decent to daydream about. all i kept saying to myself was, "when is this gonna be over already?"
the upside is that today is already gorgeous and it looks like it's gonna get up to 73. the same goes for tomorrow. hopefully i can soak up some sun to banish my pms blues.
help with trying something new??
my weekly crosstraining usually consists of walking to the mailbox and/or fridge and dancing in the shower. but i figure i should try something a little more challenging, say spin class? the two most dreaded words in the dictionary. i tried it like 5 years ago and never mounted up again because it hurt my butt way too much. great workout, i'll admit, but sore sore bum :(but i figured i'd give it another try, wade through the sore-butt syndrome, and see if i like it enough to buy the special shorts or seat. and who knows maybe it will firm my bum soooo much i won't need a gel seat. ha!
so, for all you avid and crazy spinners out there, any advice for a newbie?
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
8 is enough
my entire body is covered with a thin film of dried sweat. i'm like a human salt lick.it looks like i've reached the point in my training where it starts to get hard. the last mile and a half sucked so hard. i wanted nothing more than to stop, curl in a ball and take a nap. but i pressed on, telling myself only 20 minutes more...in those 2o minutes my joints felt as creaky as the tinman's and i felt like i was slowly being filled with sand. i thought for sure there was no way my legs could carry my heavy, heavy body.
but they did. and i can finally reward myself with valentine's day chocolate covered strawberries!
happy valentine's day, peeps!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
i'm officially old
after conducting a couple of experiments, i have concluded that it now takes me 2 days to recover from a night of drinking. pa-thetic!
last weekend, i was rendered so useless i couldn't even enjoy superbowl festivities. and this past sunday, all i could do was chug orange juice and fall asleep watching the grammys. yesterday was no better. while i had a big 8 miler planned, i only had enough energy to bake brownies and watch soaps.
thankfully, my liver gets a break this week, as the only excitement i have planned is a huge valentine dessertfest for my nephew. and the week after that, i have a race on sunday, forcing me to be good to my body for a full 2 weeks.
thank! god! because i can't keep giving up 3 whole days to the party gods anymore!
Monday, February 12, 2007
**drool**
i think i could eat a whole box right now.and the bikini hanging on my closet door to motivate me to eat well, just isn't enough motivation right now.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
first race of the year
a few hours before waking up this morning, i had a dream that i was rushing to the race only to have to come back several times for things i had forgotten. the last thing i had forgotten was to brush my teeth. guess i was a little nervous.
though really i had nothing to be nervous about, even in the rain. i finished in just over 32 minutes, which is 5 minutes faster than my 5k last april. i'm wondering if i even may have eked in under 32 minutes if you count the fact that i wasn't at the front of the pack in the beginning. but alas i'll never know since i don't wear a watch :) i was beyond psyched when i saw the clock as i raced to the finish. and it felt good to have enough energy at the end to pass at least 5 people. and it was nice to have my mom at the start and finish yelling my name as if i was the fastest person there :)
i'm riding such a high right now that i wish i was still running!
though really i had nothing to be nervous about, even in the rain. i finished in just over 32 minutes, which is 5 minutes faster than my 5k last april. i'm wondering if i even may have eked in under 32 minutes if you count the fact that i wasn't at the front of the pack in the beginning. but alas i'll never know since i don't wear a watch :) i was beyond psyched when i saw the clock as i raced to the finish. and it felt good to have enough energy at the end to pass at least 5 people. and it was nice to have my mom at the start and finish yelling my name as if i was the fastest person there :)
i'm riding such a high right now that i wish i was still running!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
tempo, tempo
on the schedule today: 5 mile tempo, with the middle 3 miles run @ 11:44. as you can see by my splits, i don't like following directions.
1: 15:33
2: 11:09
3: 11:52
4: 11:15
5: 13:07
t: 65 minutes
i have a 5k on saturday, which may be run in the rain and mud. but the conditions aren't deterring my brother and mom from coming out to watch me. i don't know who's crazier, me or them :)
1: 15:33
2: 11:09
3: 11:52
4: 11:15
5: 13:07
t: 65 minutes
i have a 5k on saturday, which may be run in the rain and mud. but the conditions aren't deterring my brother and mom from coming out to watch me. i don't know who's crazier, me or them :)
april 22
i finally forked over the money for the half marathon i am running in about 10 weeks. and it dawned on me that april 22 is the exact one year anniversary of my first race! from 5k to my second half marathon in one year :)
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
lucky number 7
i'm back in full swing and it totally shows in my long runs. it's like i start and my legs remember and just start doing it on their own. 7 miles seriously never felt so easy.
after my 5 mile run last week, i had some pain in my foot and outer calf and i started to worry. that's the area that was aggravated during training for my last half that kept me sidelined for my 10 mile race. that's the area that prompted me to finally get orthotics. and now that i have them i worried that they weren't working. but i'm trying to be mindful to start my runs slow, stretch at some point during and stretch reeeealllly good afterwards. 'cause i certainly don't want to make the same mistake twice.
after my 5 mile run last week, i had some pain in my foot and outer calf and i started to worry. that's the area that was aggravated during training for my last half that kept me sidelined for my 10 mile race. that's the area that prompted me to finally get orthotics. and now that i have them i worried that they weren't working. but i'm trying to be mindful to start my runs slow, stretch at some point during and stretch reeeealllly good afterwards. 'cause i certainly don't want to make the same mistake twice.
aha!
from the last post, it's easy to see that i'm a huge procrastinator. i never get it when i meet people who say they don't. i wanna poke those people in the eyes. but even the worst procratinator like me aren't procrastinators in EVERY thing they do. for example, i never procrastinate when it comes to eating. i know that sounds silly, but i read that somewhere and it resonated big with me. this shows me that i am not a doomed procrastinator. and i'm not lazy.
so the question is WHY do i procrastinate at certain things, in this case, getting my job hunt off the ground? doing more reading, i came across a great article about overcoming procrastination. i realized i was 1. overwhelmed at the huge task of finishing and 2. i felt that it had to be done perfectly. no wonder i was paralyzed. the suggestions for overcoming those hurdles make sense and i'm working on them now. and it's helping bring back structure to my work day. working from home can be a struggle, at least for me, because i'm given too much freedom and it's almost like i don't know where to start and end. by setting a strict window of time for work, it leaves me tons of time to fill with leisure WITHOUT the nagging guilt of work needing to be done. whew!
in addition to being overwhelmed, i was scared. scared that i wasn't good enough. scared that i would have to settle for a job i didn't like. scared that i would get in over my head at a job that was too hard. scared that the perfect employment fit wasn't out there for me. then i found this article. what i got from it is that EVERYONE gets scared. from astronauts, to presidents, to moms, to heidi klum. but what seperates the men from the mice is their ability to feel the fear, but do what they need to do anyway. or as john wayne says, "courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway". so that taught me, i'm not weak because i'm not scared. people that i look up to, that have achieved so much have felt just as scared as me.
so, how to push through fear? by recognizing 2 things: that fear is your reaction, not a property of the object of your anxiety (for example, i can dance in public and some people are terrified of that) and that courage is a mental skill, not an emotional one. if courage is a skill, then i can learn it. courage is a matter of conditioning, just like running. the more i face my fears, the better i will get at being courageous. and the more i will be conditioned to facing that which scares me. the article says "fear is not your enemy. it is a compass pointing you to the areas where you need to grow. when you encounter a new fear, celebrate it as an opporunity for growth" WOW. so the direction of my life lies in my fears. wow. pretty deep for someone wondering what the hell to do with her life.
and as for my lack of motivation? i found this article. and not surprisingly, all roads led to fear. to quote the article, "you're letting fears, excuses, and limiting beliefs hold you back. your subconscious mind knows you're settling, so it won't provide any motivational fuel until you step up, face your fears, and drop the excuses...ironically, the real key to motivation is to set goals that scare you." what?! wow! and it made sense. my fear was making me settle for things that felt safe and easy to want and get. i was denying myself from dreaming what i really wanted. and since i was setting my sights so low, of course i was unmotivated. who the hell is motivated to work at an ok job? for ok money? with ok people? turns out mediocrity really doesn't suit me.
another line from the fear article was this, "it's ok if you don't think it's possible for you. it's ok if you don't see how you could ever have it. but don't deny that you want it." aha! why spend a lifetime trying to talk myself out of the very things i really really want? that sounds totally illogical!
so my aha moment has arrived. the only way to motivate myself is to dare to dream what it is i really want, that i've been too afraid to admit to myself for fear of failure. the only way to conquer fear is to attack it a little bit everyday. so that i get good at it. stronger at it. if this doesn't sound like marathon training, i don't know what does.
so i feel renewed. and fortified. and i feel like i have actual tools to get me through the next step.
so the question is WHY do i procrastinate at certain things, in this case, getting my job hunt off the ground? doing more reading, i came across a great article about overcoming procrastination. i realized i was 1. overwhelmed at the huge task of finishing and 2. i felt that it had to be done perfectly. no wonder i was paralyzed. the suggestions for overcoming those hurdles make sense and i'm working on them now. and it's helping bring back structure to my work day. working from home can be a struggle, at least for me, because i'm given too much freedom and it's almost like i don't know where to start and end. by setting a strict window of time for work, it leaves me tons of time to fill with leisure WITHOUT the nagging guilt of work needing to be done. whew!
in addition to being overwhelmed, i was scared. scared that i wasn't good enough. scared that i would have to settle for a job i didn't like. scared that i would get in over my head at a job that was too hard. scared that the perfect employment fit wasn't out there for me. then i found this article. what i got from it is that EVERYONE gets scared. from astronauts, to presidents, to moms, to heidi klum. but what seperates the men from the mice is their ability to feel the fear, but do what they need to do anyway. or as john wayne says, "courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway". so that taught me, i'm not weak because i'm not scared. people that i look up to, that have achieved so much have felt just as scared as me.
so, how to push through fear? by recognizing 2 things: that fear is your reaction, not a property of the object of your anxiety (for example, i can dance in public and some people are terrified of that) and that courage is a mental skill, not an emotional one. if courage is a skill, then i can learn it. courage is a matter of conditioning, just like running. the more i face my fears, the better i will get at being courageous. and the more i will be conditioned to facing that which scares me. the article says "fear is not your enemy. it is a compass pointing you to the areas where you need to grow. when you encounter a new fear, celebrate it as an opporunity for growth" WOW. so the direction of my life lies in my fears. wow. pretty deep for someone wondering what the hell to do with her life.
and as for my lack of motivation? i found this article. and not surprisingly, all roads led to fear. to quote the article, "you're letting fears, excuses, and limiting beliefs hold you back. your subconscious mind knows you're settling, so it won't provide any motivational fuel until you step up, face your fears, and drop the excuses...ironically, the real key to motivation is to set goals that scare you." what?! wow! and it made sense. my fear was making me settle for things that felt safe and easy to want and get. i was denying myself from dreaming what i really wanted. and since i was setting my sights so low, of course i was unmotivated. who the hell is motivated to work at an ok job? for ok money? with ok people? turns out mediocrity really doesn't suit me.
another line from the fear article was this, "it's ok if you don't think it's possible for you. it's ok if you don't see how you could ever have it. but don't deny that you want it." aha! why spend a lifetime trying to talk myself out of the very things i really really want? that sounds totally illogical!
so my aha moment has arrived. the only way to motivate myself is to dare to dream what it is i really want, that i've been too afraid to admit to myself for fear of failure. the only way to conquer fear is to attack it a little bit everyday. so that i get good at it. stronger at it. if this doesn't sound like marathon training, i don't know what does.
so i feel renewed. and fortified. and i feel like i have actual tools to get me through the next step.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
is this normal?
i've started this post several different ways, not really knowing how to begin. it's been 2 months since i've been home and i don't have a job. in fact, i haven't yet even applied to anything. i've written my resume (that i haven't touched in 6 years!), a cover letter, photographed most of my portfolio, attended a networking event, and wrote a follow up email to a creative director i spoke with. one more big push and i'll have all my pieces photographed and my self-promo package designed. i've talked to my current boss about extending my freelancing contract, but it's still up in the air. it doesn't sound like she's having much luck finding my replacement, and well, i haven't yet found a job to replace my old one.
at the beginning of the month not having a job and not having all my shit together to find one kept me up at night and made me feel like i was the most incompetent person on earth. i've since stopped beating myself up over it, realizing i am indeed NOT a loser and instead am in the best place in my life, on the brink of everything new and exciting.
but yet, i still can't manage to really light a fire under my ass. you know the one that just consumes you, pushes you. the one that won't let you sleep because you just can't stop working. you would think that the idea of possibly being unemployed in a month would motivate someone. you would think that would make someone work their ass off until they secured employment. but not me, and i don't understand why.
am i lazy? scared? unambitious?
i'm so used to holding down 2 jobs, meeting with friends, training for something...and now i'm suddenly given all the time in the world and i've lost all my sense of urgency. and what am i doing with my time? working, yes. but for the most part, i work around time with my family, running, tv programs. my life is the exact opposite of stress. maybe i just need to revel in that? enjoy that? because i will reenter the rat race at some point and stress will resume.
i'm only worried because i've never, ever, ever felt this non-chalant about the direction of my life. usually i'm planning ahead, budgeting, figuring, trying to be proactive. i have a little voice in the back of my head that says i should be more worried, more driven. but for the most part i shrug it off and figure my aha moment will come when it's time.
is this normal?
at the beginning of the month not having a job and not having all my shit together to find one kept me up at night and made me feel like i was the most incompetent person on earth. i've since stopped beating myself up over it, realizing i am indeed NOT a loser and instead am in the best place in my life, on the brink of everything new and exciting.
but yet, i still can't manage to really light a fire under my ass. you know the one that just consumes you, pushes you. the one that won't let you sleep because you just can't stop working. you would think that the idea of possibly being unemployed in a month would motivate someone. you would think that would make someone work their ass off until they secured employment. but not me, and i don't understand why.
am i lazy? scared? unambitious?
i'm so used to holding down 2 jobs, meeting with friends, training for something...and now i'm suddenly given all the time in the world and i've lost all my sense of urgency. and what am i doing with my time? working, yes. but for the most part, i work around time with my family, running, tv programs. my life is the exact opposite of stress. maybe i just need to revel in that? enjoy that? because i will reenter the rat race at some point and stress will resume.
i'm only worried because i've never, ever, ever felt this non-chalant about the direction of my life. usually i'm planning ahead, budgeting, figuring, trying to be proactive. i have a little voice in the back of my head that says i should be more worried, more driven. but for the most part i shrug it off and figure my aha moment will come when it's time.
is this normal?
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