Sunday, August 29, 2010

6 Miles is Still a Long Way

This morning I did my 6 mile long run...it took me about 70 minutes with a small (2 block) walk break at 5.5 and a run into the 7/11 for water since I would not pass my house. I have to admit, it was much easier then I thought it was going to be, but it was still a long time to be running for. I felt really good, it was amazing!

I am going to try and explain this to you, but this might be one of those things that is in your head and it never translates the same. But I'll try. Background: For the past several years I have been so goal oriented - eye on the prize - that I have missed so many other things that I have been getting to do today. As I was running today, I kept looking forward, all the way down to the end of the street, but as usual, I was missing every thing else along the way. I know it is pretty cliche to take time to small the roses...but the reason it is so cliche is that almost everyone can relate. I felt like God was opening my eyes to a different way of life, a way of life where I would focus on the present things and glance at the end.

Another thing I noticed; the street I was running on was one of the streets I started running on. I could barely make it a few blocks back then. Time has flown by so fast, it is amazing how quickly the miles have started adding up for me.

By the way I went to Disneyland with my mom, niece, and Jesse on Friday...we had a blast!




No, my cheeks are not that big...I just took a big bite of my sandwich.

Tomorrow is a rest day, I'll probably do some Yoga and ab work and then call it a day.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

My name is Nikki and...

I am a Almond Butteraholic. Yup, I bought a jar 2 weeks ago and I have been having some every day with Agave or Honey on Ezekiel bread and OMG - Heaven. I am attempting not to overindulge, like a teaspoon/tablespoon a day...but I keep thinking about all the wonderful things I could put it on. Needless to say, I am obsessed.

I finally broke into the 60's! I am at 169.2. Pretty good for all that Almond Butter huh? My goal was 165 initially, but I am starting to wonder into uncharted territory. I have never been lower then that, well maybe in like JR High and High School when I was getting high...but I have no idea how much I weighed then, I was too spun. It is pretty slow and I have been very relaxed about food, I have just decided to abstain (as much as possible) from the foods that I get super addicted to like cake, refined sugar, fried food, fast food, white flour, corn syrup, highly processed foods. Since it is pretty slow, I am sure my body will naturally plateau when it is ready to. I am pretty far from that though. Good to know things are still moving right along.

3 miles today - all went well. I could still feel some shin pain but when I got home I iced, elevated and took some IB Profin, now I am good as new. Tomorrow is my rest day and we will be going to Disneyland for the day. Saturday is a 3 mile run and i am considering doing it at the beach since it is flat and I am not running sideways from the streets. We'll see.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

First Day

Like I mentioned before, I decided to join a running club and run with them on Wednesday. Today was my first day and boy was I nervous. I was mostly nervous since I have been sucking completely the last couple days of running. I was worried I would be the last one or I would be forced to walk part of the way. I just didn't want to completely suck.

So, before I left I ate some toast with honey and some NF Yogurt (yum yum). I packed an apple in my car for after the run and away I went all by my lonesome. Bill and Jesse stayed back at the house. I got there a tad early and got to meet a bunch of people, everyone was very nice. There was about 20 people doing the run, everyone at different levels and going different distances - some walkers, run/walkers, runners fast and slow. So I felt better that I wasn't the only beginner out there.

So the shoes you ask. Well I can now say they are broken in - I rand 4 miles and felt terrific! I forgot to time it and got caught up in the moment. I really felt like I could go longer. I had so much fun! I started out with a couple gals and ended up on my own - probably better that way since I really am not a great run-talker. I just like to listen to my music and enjoy. Even though I am not much of a talker it is motivating for me to run with others. It takes the loneliness out of running and makes it fun to see people you know out there doing the same thing.

I am back to loving running - for a minute there we weren't friends.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Just Incase You Were Wondering...

Sugar free chocolate and running do not mix. I was poking around the house for something sweet today, having a major chocolate craving. There they were - the Atkins version of Reese's PB Cups. They hit the spot! Sugar free chocolate rocks!! Only when you have the time to care for the belly - usually I eat it at night and sleep the gurgles off. Not today, I had to eat them after lunch and when Bill came home at 2:00 wanting to go to the beach, I said, "Great! You get Jesse ready and I will be back in 30 minutes." Oh and by the way 2:00 in the afternoon during the summer in CA - not such a good idea either. I went out for my run slow and steady, about 10 minutes in the grumbling started and I had to take a little walk break to hold the cheeks together. It seemed like eternity to get home and when I did, holy explosion! I don't mean to be graphic, but man oh man. I am so glad that was over.

When I look back at this I think "man I am such a genius." Oh well, there is much to learn with this whole running thing...I am sure there will be many more days like this.

By the way, the new shoes are still on my good list since most of the pain in my legs are going away. However, and a big HOWEVER, they are going to go on the naughty list very soon if my legs keep failing. They are so tired, not sore, just tired. I am barely doing any miles right now, but it feels like I am working new muscles - I am blaming the shoes, but I am giving them some time since I am almost completely healed of pain.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Rest Day

Yesterday's Tae Bo was great. I can remember post-running days when I could only make it 1/2 way through. I think the farthest I got on that video was 45 minutes. Yesterday I finished it and was ready for more! Crazy. It really made me feel confident in my progress.

On other news, the new shoes are still on my feet (yes, I take them off when I sleep). I have noticed how high my arches are when I take them off and walk around bare footed. Muscles that haven't been sore before feel like they are being worked and my feet are more tired then usual. My thoughts are that I am just adjusting to the change in posture/foot positioning. I think I will really feel the difference next week.

When I bought the shoes, the gal who helped me told me about a running club they have (it is free). I told her I was interested and got my email yesterday. They work out Mon and Wed, but I am committing to Wednesday with the group, starting this week.

Other then that it is a boring rest day and I can't wait to get out tomorrow to get back on track!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Tae Boe Day

Yesterday was a sucky running day. I love the new running shoes - but my legs felt heavy and sore. I got over it by mile 2 so Bill and I stopped by the park and let Jesse play for a while. While Jesse was playing, I went to the the field to run sprints - man they are fun. Then I thought, I could attempt the run again, so I ditched the boys and went running again - I was just so out of the mood, I got over it and ran back home.

Per the Ha Higdon schedule, it is cross training day. I will be doing 1 hour of Tae Boe. My legs are still killing me, so I took Bill's Rx IB Profin again. Probably not the best idea, but they hurt and I am thinking that the rest day tomorrow will get my legs back to normal.

I am still trying to keep to schedule so I can run Long Beach. I have less then 60 days and I am a tad behind due to my minor injury.

Friday, August 20, 2010

New Shoes

I went out for a test run after 2 days off and 1.5 miles in and same pains. I came to the realization that it might be my shoes. I just bought these Nike Lunarfly shoes since the salesperson told me they were great and well, they looked high tech and they were in the budget, so I bought them. Cute, huh?



They are comfy shoes, but it seems like since I have been running in them I have had shin splints, groin pain, and now a pulled quad...can you say "frustrating?"

So I got this $10 off coupon at Road Runner Sports in our 5K goodie bag and it said that they would do an whole review/analysis to and make sure you have the perfect fit. So I went. They measured my foot length and width, I stood on a pad that measured pressure, and they taped my running on a treadmill. The gal I had was very knowledgeable and I found out I have high arches (never knew that) and I run pigeon toed (I knew that - I just didn't know it would injure me). She got me some inserts for my arches and a neutral shoe. All in all a great experience, I didn't feel like I was being rushed or "sold." So these are the new running kicks:



I hope this will be the end of all of my running issues - I am getting excited, I want to go run right now - I am actually sitting at the computer in my new shoes!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Patience

So ok, I have no patience. I have never really had patience in any area of my life. When I was working the girls would tell me, "You just wait till you have kids." Well...here I am...still no patience. I can remember a time when I was like 16/17 and I started playing pool, I would make my friend "practice" with me as if I was one day going to be some major pool competitor. That dream died out after a few weeks of learning that I was just not the expert I thought I was going to be right then and there. There was also the time that I was "Weight Watcher" girl, I dreamed that I would lose tons of weight and become the next spokesperson. I practically memorized the point values for every food. I took a sharpie marker out and marked every item of food with the point value. I didn't lose weight quick enough, so that went out the window too.

Now I am aspiring to be a runner. I have been reading every book I can get my hands on, blog that I can find, and Googling every running chart I can find. I know I am obsessing, but I am enjoying every minute of it. I have it in my head somewhere that I will one day win a race - be it a 5K or a marathon. Of course that is just crazy talk, but it is jingling in my head. But here I am with shin splints and some major pain in my leg that I have been icing, realizing that my body can't keep up with my aspirations. I need to slow it down and take a step back in order to move forward. I feel like my body is forcing me to back off a tad. Even though I don't want to, I need to wait. My addiction to IB Profin needs to stop and I need to take a look at what my body is telling me. I want so bad to be a great runner, but I want it all to happen now.

This marathon goal is probably the craziest goal that I have ever had in my life, that is why I love it so much. It is greater then me right now and no amount of research, obsessive training, or IB Profin is going to get me there faster. I am at the mercy of my body and what it can do. Patience is forced upon me if I would like to proceed.

Isn't it ironic that training for a marathon is going to teach me balance and moderation? Who'd a thunk!??!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Doubt

I went out today after a day of rest for my 3 miles and I am back to square one. I had to limp back for 1.5 miles since halfway out I realized it was not getting better. I am at a total loss. I had a day off from 3-2-3 miles...not even that grueling, even for me.

So I am starting to doubt myself in this whole marathon goal. I know I can do it, but will I be able to train in time for the HB Marathon? I am also worried about the LB Half Marathon, will I be ready in time?

Bill told me to take a day off again, but I am afraid of losing all of the endurance I built up. I realize it is just one day, but I did this last week. You may think I am completely nuts when I say, I plan on doing Yoga tonight and then tomorrow morning and then going for a 2 mile run, just to see if that helps. Maybe I am not warming up enough and my muscles need more stretching, the Yoga last week seemed to help. I feel like I need to see if this will work since going off my schedule this much is really going to throw off my goal.

Why is it that some days I am so stoked to go running and it feels terrific and other days it feels like crap?

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Deleted scenes from chariots of fire

Manchild Conquers a 5k

OC Fair 5K







Ok so this is my first actual race that didn't include mud. Can you say FUN!?!? I am now totally addicted. I know a 5K isn't really a long way for most runners, but for me it is a pretty good distance. So here is my recap:

Bill decided he wanted to push Jesse, so we called my mom to let her know and then told her she still needed to come to be our cheerleader. We got there at about 7:30am, registered and then went to get Bill some Kaopectate(sp?) for his stomach (he woke up in the middle of the night with...well..I'll spare you). We came back parked the car and got Jesse set up - Jesse was in a terrible mood since we woke him up at about 6:30am. I walked the the bathroom and waited in the women's long line while watching the men just mosey in and out of their bathrooms. We took our before pictures with my mom and got in line to run. I decided that it would be best if we were at the back of the line with the stroller...we hung out with all the other stroller people. And away we went!! I loved the fact that they let us all go at once instead of in layers....it really made it that much more exciting. Being in the back had its advantages too as it forced me to go out slow. We had to run around a lot of people, but since I didn't have the stroller it wasn't that bad. The course was very flat (nice for a beginner like me) and we got to see the super fast people at different areas of the course. They were flying by, it was so motivating and great to watch. I stayed steady the entire race, I probably could have pushed it a little more, but I wanted to stay the course and pace myself. I did, and when I saw the finish line I picked up the pace and booked it as fast as I could. It felt terrific!

I posted some after race videos Bill made with his phone...kindof fun...you can tell we had a great time.

My only gripe was that they got my time wrong, way wrong. They have me running 6:30min miles. Not even close. I finished somewhere close to 30-33 minutes.

All in all a great morning, but now I would like to sleep!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

2 Miles Before the 5K

So I figured I could run 2 miles before the 5K tomorrow (I want to be as close to my schedule as possible)...and...yes...ouch...again. I sat in the Epsom salts, iced, and took IB Profin, glutamine and Omega 3's. I am still doing the 5K tomorrow, I will go slow and steady.

One of the things I realized when I run races, since I have run so many. Ok so when I ran the mud run, I went out too fast, also there was a big fat hill at the beginning of it so I was winded very fast. I heard that lots of people do it, and I am sure a ton of people will do it tomorrow since it is a 5K. I will vow to go slower then usual in the beginning then pick up the pace. We will see how that goes.

I posted the race on FB, but it appears out of my 200 and something friends no one wants to go. Whatever.

Bill asked me why I didn't invite my friends on FB to follow my blog, my answer: "Because it is personal and I would rather share it with people who are going through the same thing, who I do not know." What if I want to talk smack on some one? Then what? I have to watch my words? No thank you. I want to share everything here and not be concerned what someone might think.

I am staring to sound bitter, can you tell I need coffee?

Friday, August 13, 2010

3 Miles - A OK

I did 3 miles today in 30:19, feeling pretty good about myself. I think the rest did me pretty good. When I ran those 3 miles my muscles felt great, I didn't feel tired like I usually do. I have decided to run the OC Fair 5 K on Sunday. I am hoping to be able to register on sight - it looks like a fun run. I am still icing, sitting in Epsom salt baths and taking the glutamine.

I think Hal Higdon is right about the cross training thing (go figure), I think instead of running on my cross training day, I should be doing something else...I don't know what yet...but after seeing how much better I ran when my muscles are well rested, it seems to make more sense (at least for now) to pick something fairly easy for my cross training days. Hmmmm, I will have to think about that....

As far as my diet goes - I think I am doing fairly well. I am eating all the right foods, I may want to start looking at portions though. I am still losing weight at a good rate, so I guess when I start to plateau I will re-evaluate my diet.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

In the Beginning...

So this is the last night of my just doing Yoga...I can say that I am truly ancey. I cannot wait to wake up tomorrow morning at 5:30am to give it a go again. I hope all this rest will do good things for me. I am also not too keen on falling behind schedule.

I started my weight loss adventure doing Atkins...well if you really want to start from the beginning, I have always been a little overweight - nothing major, just a little thick. When I got pregnant and then put on bed rest, I got...well...HUGE! I mean like 250 lbs + huge! I am 5 foot 6 so that is a lot of weight to carry.

This was me when I was 8 months prego (I was still gaining weight if you can believe it):



So after I delivered, I lost about 30 lbs in a month then I went on Jenny Craig and lost another 30 lbs, then stalled for a while and went on Atkins (which I loved) and lost about 15 lbs where I plateaued for a couple months, now I am doing my own thing and have lost another 5...bringing me to a grand total of 170.

My own thing consists of a low fat higher carb (low sugar, no white flour) version of Atkins. I liked doing Atkins since I had to learn how to eat more vegetables and less processed foods. Currently, I am still trying to lower the processed foods, hormones, and chemicals. I switched to higher carbs when I learned that I would need the carbs for distance - so I have incorporated fruits and grains. I thought I would gain some water weight when I switched, (carbs hold more water) but I started to lose weight again.

I started to run when I got impatient with walking. It really takes me too long to get where I need to go. Although I move slow running (fast walkers could keep up with me), I feel like I am moving faster. I have always liked being in sports and challenging myself, so this running thing seems to be a good fit.

I so cannot wait to try running again tomorrow - I am going to be slow and steady.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Yoga is Like Jillian Right?

So I just finished 30 minutes of Yoga and 15 minutes of sitting in a hot bath with Epsom Salts and I am feeling mucho better. I would like to get up and go running tomorrow...should I chance it? Hmmmm, something tells me "No! Dummy! Give yourself one more day." Then something else tells me, "Come one! It is on the schedule! You have already missed one day!" Crazy head conversations aside, I am thinking for the greater goal, I will take one more day off.

I have almost convinced myself to register for the HB Marathon, since it is far enough in advance and close to my house. Choosing which marathon I run first is so weird, it is like selecting a husband. As if I am going to spend the rest of my life with the marathon. Such a weird thing.

One of the major things preventing me from registering is the fact that I am still overweight and can barely run 6 miles. The thought of running 26.2 miles is so overwhelming. Also, I am so slow!! They ask the question of estimated finish time...how the hell should I know? I could imagine if I did it I would be running for more then 5 hours??? I think?? Holy cow - is there a lunch break in there? Union rules!

On the other hand, I have watched Spirit of a Marathon, some other PBS Marathon movie and Saint Ralph...I think if I really practice and work hard, I can do it. I feel like I have defeated all sorts of things in my life - I am an ex homeless junkie...I have quit smoking, earned my Bachelors degree, had a baby, and I am a wife. I say these things as if I did them on my own, but I did not. Not only have I had people in my life pulling for me, but I have had God pulling for me. Sometimes I feel like He is in the stadium of life with his big foam finger cheering me through life.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ouch Pain

I was supposed to do 3 miles today - per Hal Higdon's Super Novice marathon training. "Supposed" to meant 2 miles....I was in so much pain by mile to I had to hobble to my car. Once I sat down in my car, I thought I was going to cry. I think I have shin splints on one leg and this is embarrassing, but I have pain in the groin/inner thigh region on the other leg.

Bill has a Rx for IB Profin 800mg that I have been taking. I just decided that I wasn't that sore, so I had no need to take it before I ran. I guess really feeling what is going on sucks. I am going to be more cautious then normal and take a little rest. I have decided that I will do Jillian's 30 day shred for the next 2 days to keep the fitness level up and the impact down. Hopefully that will help. I went to GNC and got the multivitamins and L Glutamin...to heal. I have also been making Designer Whey smoothies (you know the Biggest Loser stuff. I use NF Milk and a Banana to mix in with it and share it with Jesse.

We shall see how it goes.

3 Miler - No Go


So it is 2pm on the west coast and I still have not run today. I was supposed to get up at 5:30am this morning to go, but my son had other ideas. He decided to wake up at 2ish and then about every 20 minutes thereafter until 6am where he slept for 2 hours thank God. I am planning on going when my hubby gets home, I am dressed and ready to go.

Jesse got a new buzz cut today, he really looks like a little man, he is so cute. Bill (my hubby) will love it.

Oh and by the way, I was feeling all super tired the other day and thinking my caffeine habit has gotten out of control...then all of the sudden I thought, maybe I need vitamins. I took them and I feel terrific - even on 6 hours of sleep. I don't even know if they work that quickly, but even if it placebo - I am now going to be an avid vitamin taker (for the time being).

Sunday, August 8, 2010

3 Miles, 2 New Books and a Box of Gu

So I got up and ran 3 miles before church this morning. Not bad, a little slow and tired from yesterday though. On my schedule it says to cross train on Sundays - I never do that, I always end up running. I heard on a podcast that if you want to run faster then you need to run faster. So that is what i attempted to do today. Mile 1 was about 7:30 then mile 2 was about 11 and mile 3 I am guessing 12-13. So I went out too fast, but at least I know I am capable of being faster...I just need to pick it up on my other miles. I will keep trying.

So I got Hal Higdon's Marathon Training book, since I am following his schedule, I figure I should read his book. I have only gotten a little ways in and it seems pretty good. I also got a book on running nutrition, since I am still about 20 lbs overweight. I am hoping to rid myself of those 20 lbs with the running and diet change - fingers and toes crossed.

I also got my box of Gu, since I run first thing in the morning, I don't want to eat and wait an hour - I just want to go. I find myself getting hungry on the longer runs. Also, the extra caffine should get me out earlier since I am waiting for the coffee to brew and then settle in my stomach. We shall see if this magical Gu will be the thing that makes me an olympic runner. I will have to wait till Tuesday though since Monday is my rest day. Ahhh, a day of sleaping in and not getting up at the butt crack of dawn...I will miss running though. Oh well, night, night.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Holy Canoli!

6 miles is quite a long way. I finished it in a little over an hour - I forgot to set my watch until about a mile into it, so that is my best guess. I decided to have yogurt and coffee before I left, of course I waited 30 minutes after I ate. I should have waited the required hour, next time. When I started out, I was thinking to my self that I should just run the 4 miles and be done with it. Then I reminded myself that I posted it on FB and I didn't want to look like a total looser, so I would have to finish it.

Hills suck. I hate hills, there is one hill in particular that I hate the most. I have been able to run it for the past 2 months. When I started, I would walk it. I am always left completely winded when I am done...the sucky thing was that I was totaly winded at about 1.5-2 miles on course. It was pretty discouraging.

About 1/2 way in I ended up walking for a small amount of time and picked it back up again. I looped to my house, drank some water I left on the driveway and went on for the second half of my run. I have to say, the second half was way easier then the first. It was lik evrything loosened up and I was doing pretty good. I had to walk for a block a couple times, but I got the move on pretty quickly.

I am not super stoked about it, but I am proud that I finished. I wish I would have pushed through, but I think I did pretty good.

Next week I have all 3 milers, so it should be pretty painless. I think I might work some speed training in to get my 3 milers a littler quicker then what they are right now.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Disney Excuse

Ok, so I decided not to go running the day we went to Disneyland on the account my groin hurt and I figured it would totally suck if I hurt myself even worse and had to walk around Disneyland with a hurt groin (I am sure I would get some looks on that one).

I planned on eating my own food at Disneyland, I even packed my lunch. That didn't go over well though - I ended up eating a corn dog, an ice cream sandwich, a churro, a cup cake, gumbo, garlic bread and Mexican food. Ugh, I am getting sick just thinking about it. I am guessing it was somewhere between 3-4000 calories (if not more), that will take me at least 30 miles to burn off. Gosh, when I think of it that way....nahhh....it was totally worth it.

Today is a day off since I am supposed to run 6 miles tomorrow. I have NEVER run 6 miles in my life and I am expecting it will be the slowest 6 miles anyone has ever run - probably 12 min mile. I am ok with that as long as I finish. I have decided to try to eat yogurt before I go - I thought about Gu, but since it wasn't at Target or the Grocery store that it was just too much effort to get. Maybe when I get a little better and go for longer I will try the Gu.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Eureka!!

So I figured it all out. I have found the thing that is going to challenge me - running. The best thing of all is that I totally suck at it. I don't mean oh, I suck at it....I mean, I really, truly, SUCK at it - 11-12 min mile suck. But, I love it so that is what counts right? I guess we shall see. It has been forever since my last post, but that is cuz I had no idea what it was that was going to make this year really great.

I am a stay at home mom, I have my bachelors degree in Business and work(ed) for a terrific company doing things I loved - before baby. Now I am with my little guy, loving life, but seeking a challenge at home. So I saw this documentary, Spirit of the Marathon, and I thought - hey - I can do that! So I did some Googling and here I am, week 10 into a 30 week training program. I have not picked a marathon yet, but I am sure I will.

You may not think this sounds crazy, but if you knew me, you would know that A. I am conservatively 20 lbs overweight and B. I have always hated running but if you factor in C. I am too stubborn to give up on a challenge and add them all together you will come up with the fact that I am crazy. All of the sudden I have found a love for running - I am obsessed....I know, I know, "Balance and Moderation." That went out the window a while ago...this is who I am. I am an ex alky who thrives on obsessions, might as well find something worth while right?

So here we go...are you ready to take a marathon adventure with me???