Thursday, September 30, 2010

Feelin Good

Ok so I am all healed up from my first 10 mile run. I did yoga yesterday and I went out for 3 miles today - at times it felt pretty easy. 3 miles is still a pretty good work out for me. I was surprised it wasn't a total crap run since historically I suck the first run after the long run, I think I am getting more used to it though, or maybe it is the yoga? Who am I to question, I am just going to go with it.

Bill and I decided to go for the 12 miles on Sunday. I can't think about it right now though, I can't imagine going farther then the 10. I'll worry about it when I get there.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

10 Miles - Check

I did it! I am a double digit rockin mama! I completed my first 10 mile run - holy cow that was long and hard! My hubby and I ran last night at around 7pm, it took us a little over 2 hours with a bathroom break, several water breaks(at the end especially - it was super hot yesterday), and a couple walking breaks at the end. I am very proud even with my walking breaks - I remember seeing the 10 miles on the chart when I first started and thinking "I wonder if I will ever get that far." Well, I did!

Since it was so hot, I really didn't want to eat toast or oatmeal or something warm before we left, so I consructed the best pre-run shake ever. With the exception of burping bananas at mile 5, I think I should get a prize for this one:

Banana PB Shake*:
3 bananas
4 TBSP No Sugar Peanut Butter
2 TBSP Honey
1 Scoop of sugar free vanilla protien powder
1 serving carton of Zico Coconut water
Lots of ice

*makes 2 servings

Even with my shake, I got a little hungry at mile 6 so I might add oats to the recepie to bulk it up a little (just blend it all together).

Today my legs are very tired, I think I might do one of my yoga videos to streach everything out reall good, but I am going to wait till later tonight.

I am following Hal Higdon's Marathon training schedule, but I will also be completing the LB 1/2 Marathon in aprox 3 weeks. On my schedule, this is my taper week, but it does not take into account the race since the goal is for the marathon. I am going back in forth in my head if maybe I should go for the 11 miles this weekend and then taper the following week before the race, so I will be nice and fresh OR I can just keep following the schedule and take an extra couple days off before the race. Does anyone have any thoughts on that? I may have lost you on this...hopefully you follow.

Oh and one more thing, so I heard all this great stuff about ice baths, I was so excited to finally try it out. I got 2 bags of ice on the way home, filled the tub with cool water (on the cool setting), dumped the bags in the tub and got in. It wasn't that cold; all the ice melted, I think the heat from the day must have warmed our pipes...anyways that was a nice try. Next time.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Defeated

What can I say, I gave up. I had a bad attitude this morning since my husband was lagging and I wanted to get out the door. When we got to the beach, it was sunny, not a cloud in the sky and hot. I didn't bring a hat or sunglasses so I squinted for the first 2 miles. I was so hot an thirsty and tired, I was over it by then. I stopped by a shop and grabbed a Gatorade and I thought "I can do this" so I ran for another mile and got over it. I walked back to the car with my husband telling me "It is all mental" "keep going."

As I walked back to the car defeated I thought, I will just try it again tomorrow at 5:30am (when it is still cool out). I am worrying about Long Beach again, what if it is hot that day? I am always going out early or at about 5-6pm (when the sun goes down). Start time in LB is around 7:30am.

You know what I am also noticing? I do better on my long runs when I have 2 days off running and then go out. I think after I tackle the 10 miles - and I WILL, I will do some moving around.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Things to Think About

Ok so I am getting a tad nervous about going for the 10 tomorrow. I have my clothes laid out, I have yet to put together a new playlist for my Ipod and I am thinking about what I am going to think about tomorrow for a little under 2 hours. I figured what better way to think about it then to write it out as a list so here goes:

1. Things to do with Jesse
2. Places I would like to go on date with my hubby
3. What I would wear if I lost 20 lbs
4. What I would wear on a date with my hubby
5. Things to cook for the week
6. Sunday afternoon naps (with the windows open: sun coming in and breeze blowing through...aaaa...the best
7. Work
8. Plan out my backyard
9. Plan my week out
10. What the 1/2 marathon is going to be like
11. Pinapple (I know it sounds silly, but it got me through last week's last mile)

I'll write my list on the inside of my hands and look down at them when I need something to think about.

Monday, September 20, 2010

I Am Finally Ready

Ok so now I am ready to talk about the long, long, 9 mile run. I know I lagged on posting, but I have been addicted to The Office that I found on Netflix. I have never really been a fan, but I realized that if you watch it in order the jokes make more sense and it is pretty funny. Watching all of the episodes has been taking up all of my free time - I told you I have that kind of personality where once I get started I am all in...well, that is just another example - thank God for running.

Anyways, back to the 9 miles...HOLY COW! 9 miles is a long way. Like I explained before, we did it at the beach (we had my mother and father in law watch Jesse) at about mile 4 we drank some Gatorade and had our Gu package. I was feeling good until about 7.5, that is where I really had to dig deep and push through. At about the same time, my husband decided that he was going to speed up, so I was on my own. I just told myself that I needed to complete this to do the half and I would regret it if I gave up and walked, I put a good song on my Ipod and gave myself stop markers, you know "I'll stop when I get to (fill in the blank)," then when I got there I would do the whole routine over again. It seemed to work pretty well. When it was over I had to take my shoes off - my feet were so HOT! They were all red and swollen - yuck. Once I put them in the cold ocean they went back to normal. It took me a couple days to feel like myself again, 9 miles really wiped me out.

So we have 10 miles to do this weekend and I am excited and nervous at the same time. It will be my fist double digit mileage I have ever done running. That seems like such a milestone to me. Its funny since almost ever week has been a milestone (with the exception of taper weeks). I love that part of training. I keep thinking "there is no way I will be able to do that," and then I do. It's amazing. I really just need to learn to trust the process.

This is a picture of me, Jesse, my mom, and my aunt Carla at Disneyland - random - but it was the day before the 9 miler so, somewhat applicable :)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Tired

So today was the 9 mile challenge, yes I finished - running the whole way (1 stop for Gatorade and Gu at mile 4). That is the farthest I have EVER run. I know I say that all the time, but 9 miles seems like such a long way, and it is. I am wiped out, no amount of coffee is reviving me and I keep getting hungry after I eat. We soaked our legs in the freezing cold ocean right after - which seemed to fix the pain then I came home and took a shower. I was freezing cold for about 1-2 hours, weird, I think it was a combination of water from the ocean, ice water (for drinking) and tiredness. I have been taking it easy today. I'll comment more on this tomorrow; I just want to finish my chores and rest.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Next Time

I will make sure before I go out the door that (1) I am wearing a sports bra and (2)I had a glass of water. Yeah, so I was doing my 3 mile run tonight and I was out about a quarter mile when I noticed I was wearing the wrong bra (sorry boys - you can skip this part). Well I know I am running and all but I am still lazy. So lazy that I made the corporate decision to run in that bra and not turn around. Bad idea - I will spare you the details. So my laziness kicks in around the thirst thing too: By the end of mile 1 I realize that I am thirsty, by the end of 2 I decide that I am very, very thirsty and blocks from my house, I realize that I am going to barf if I don't get some water. I think my throat was so dry it was making me queasy. All of this time, I am probably a quarter mile off course if I head for a water fountain. Do I go? Of course not. Lazy, lazy, lazy. Lessons learned on that one.

On a side note (I love side notes - I can't stop)...as I was running a drunk guy on a bicycle complimented me on my hair...he said it pretty creepily, but hey it must be great if a drunk guy on a bike likes it right?? God, should I change it back?? Nahhh...

Busy Weekend!

Friday, Bill and I went for a 5 mile run we made it back in 50:23. I don't think I have ever gone that fast - 2 minutes faster then the last time I timed it. I felt great! After that we had our first date night in like ages! We went to sushi and coffee where I drank another Pumpkin Spiced Latte (I can't stop).

Saturday we drove up to Upland to go to my niece's birthday party and we ate everything we aren't supposed to - Mexican food and Costco Cake. I am saying "we" since Bill is joining me on this healthy journey. Lot's of fun!



Sunday I decided it was time for a change. I cut off my hair and bleached it completely. This what it looked like before:



This is what it looked like after I got it cut:



This is what it looks like when I was all done - it still needs a little more bleaching since it is a tad yellow in spots:



I love it!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Show and Tell

So I went for my 4 mile run tonight. I went out to the Newport Beach Backbay, a little under a mile from my house. Of course I drove there since I wanted to spend my entire running time at the Backbay. I decided that I was going to take pictures of this run since it was such a lovely night. This is me driving to my destination, I was trying to drive and take the picture, so my aim was a little off - think of this as my "Before" picture:



This is the lovely trail that I ran back and forth on:



Ok, so here is my disclaimer on this picture. I hate this hill, I dread this hill, I am finally running this hill, but I still hate it with all my heart. When I say these words, you are probably assuming it is some massive hill and it is - to me. When I took the picture, it looked so small, I am starting to feel silly.



This is just the lovely view - man it is awesome. It really doesn't matter how much I go back there - I never get sick of the Backbay.



And this is me after 4 miles. Yup, "After." I think I will file this picture under "Do not post on Facebook." It was dark out by then and I was trying to be stealth taking a picture of myself in the car - even as the flash went off. I can only imagine what the passers by thought.



Oh and just for picture's sake, I got my little man his first potty over the weekend. He seemed to think it was a toy....after all Elmo is on it!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Crap

The other day Glenn posted that he was having a "Craptastic" day. I on the other hand had a crap run, there was no tastic about it. I wouldn't even call it a run since I really only ran 1/2 of the way. I walked about 1.5 miles out of the 3. I have noticed that sometimes I just have a crap time running. It is like I have weights on my legs and I feal like I am clumping along. It really sucks...it is, well, crap.

I am hoping that tomorrow I don't crap out in the midle of my 4 mile team run. Any suggestions? Am I just destined to crap days where running is just not going to happen?

Monday, September 6, 2010

Resting on Labor Day

So today was a rest day for me - thank God since my legs were super tired. Yesterday was supposed to be my cross training day an I decided to pick one of the workouts from Fitness Channel On Demand that TWC offers on my DVR. I wanted to do the Jackie Werner(sp?) workout, but they took off the hour long one. I checked out Jillean, but all they had was her level 1. I found some other lady on there and decided to take a gamble - it was 1 hour long and it had strength training. Whoever she was, she killed me. When I started out, she had me doing some silly dance moves and then I was doing ballet stuff and then it got harder and harder. I actually had sweat dripping down my face - I don't even get that sweaty when I run! Pretty gross, but I loved it.

So today I am super lazy. I actually took a 3 hour nap and I watched Raising Arizona. It has been years since I saw it and it is even funnier the second time. I remember thinking it was stupid the first time, but I was pretty young. I retract any bad comments I made on that movie - it was hillarious!

I wish I took pictures of my food today because it was so yummy! I always forget to take a picture because I am always hungry and just want to eat. I guess I get caught up in the moment - thank God I am not a food blogger. Anyways, I made a greek chicken salad (hummus, fresh basil, feta cheese, chicken, and onions) I put it on top of spinach and toasted some pita bread. Yes, this will be a repeat lunch/dinner. For dinner I went to this place called Hosum Bistro it is one of my favorite places to eat. Then I went to Starbucks and got my new addiction the Pumkin Spice Latte with soy. I need to google the calories on that one...I am putting it though, I figure as long as I don't know it doesn't count :)

So now I am cafinated, catching up on reading everyone's blogs, and watching Mystery Science Theatre 3000 - not my choice, but still funny.

Today was a success, I successfully completed 3 loads of laundry, nap time, movie watching, eating, and vegging out.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

I did it!

Yup, I ran 7 miles! It was a long way, but it felt pretty good. I am pretty worn out today since my son has decided that he would like to stay up all night. He is really killing me. He goes in phases; he sleaps really good for weeks, then all of the sudden we are back to square one. Tiredness has set in, so please excuse the lack of creativity in my writing. I would be resting right now, but I felt compelled to record such a major acomplishment. 7 miles is pretty major since it over an hour of running - it took me about 75 minutes to complete. We went down to the beach again first thing in the morning. I thought it was the best place to try out the 7 miles since it was flat and there is a halfway point, so if we were having a bad run, we could bail out. But, there was no reason to - it was a great run! It was super foggy first thing in the morning, so the view was just people and houses, but it was perfect weather, nice and cool.

When we were done running and I crashed on the bench we decided to go in the water to cool off our legs since all the bloggers and podcasters talk about how great ice baths are, I figured it was all in the same. The water was fifty something and boy was it cold! Whew! But it felt amazing!

After we got home, I treated myself to blueberry buckwheat pancakes, a nap, and a pedacure - what a fabulous day!

So now I am gonna cudle up on the couch with my hubby, watch a movie and call it a great day!

Friday, September 3, 2010

7 Is The Magic Number

So tomorrow I have 7 miles to do on the chart. Can I make it? I think so? I have never run that far, so I guess we will see. I have mapped out the Newport Beach boardwalk and from end to end it is 7 miles almost exactly. I have loaded a new playlist on the Ipod and I am ready to rock! I really love to rock out while I run, it makes it super fun.

Anyways, I went to Disneyland with Bill and Jesse today and we did not eat any junk food, I swear....



Ok, so maybe a little ice cream. It was well worth it though and if I make it through the 7 miles that will compensate for my splurge. By the way it was Mocha Almond Fudge and Cookies and Cream - super yum! And no, I did not eat the entire thing. It stopped being yum when I got about 2/3 of the way through, so I tossed it.

While we were parking, I saw some of the race set up. Maybe next year - it looks like it is gonna be a blast!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

I Know I Already Posted Today...

But I had to share. We took pictures from the run today. Man I love living in California, it pretty much rocks! We have the best weather and the beaches - gotta love it! The run with the group was a little unorganized tonight, but still fun. Bill and Jesse came along with me and had a great time.

This was Jesse getting ready to go for his ride, he's pretty cute huh?:



This is Jesse and Bill. I caught Bill in a hunch-back streach of some sort - he looks kindof silly:



These are me in all my running glory...I take a pretty good picture when I am running ;)

This is my back (incase you were wondering). You can really see how pigeon toed I am in this one:



And these are just some of my lovely pictures:







And this is Jesse when we set him free from his ride:

Work. Work. Work.

First of all - really cool stuff! I was reading my blog to my hubby last night, he says he would rather me read it to him. I have been thinking I am writing to myself the past few weeks...but I scrolled down and saw comments! I know, you may think I am being lame, but I was excited to know that I am not completely alone on this journey. Thank you for your support Glenn and Nicole!!

Bare with me on this next paragraph, I was getting bored rereading it - but it is my life and what is going on:

The past couple days I have had to attend some work functions. Back when I first had Jesse and decided I could not leave him, I left my work - the one I worked all crazy at - they asked if I could work on certain things from home for them. I love them and I have a great boss, so of course I was ecstatic that they asked me. So I am kind of a contractor/consultant for them. Anyhow, all of the HR Managers (I worked in the HR department) flew down this week for a meeting. I got to do a schpeel on my stuff and I got to listen to others. Interesting to me, probably not to you...long story short, I have been busy with them for the past 2 days and no time to run. I have however stuck to my diet - whatever that may be. We had a team event at Dave and Busters and I ended up ordering soup and endaname beans while everyone ate their super yummy foods. I made sure to pack all my snacky stuff so I wouldn't grab any of their junk food (they always have all sorts of goodies to keep you going at these events).

Running team tonight at 6:10...I am really getting excited about it. This is the picture they took from last week. Can you see me?