Good bye 2011, you were Awesome!

Long run

Almost 15 mile run. Not bad. Felt pretty strong until the usual 12/13 wall. Gummy bears, pretzels, GU, Nuun...all great & necessary, gotta bring all that on next long trek. Some foot soreness, new socks needed? Hmmmmmm

Podcast DJ was RAD! Looking forward to marathon for the TIME I get to run. Right now it's hard to get out the door, then I barely have 3-3:30 hrs to run. Excited to run all day, crazy thought I know. Runners are odd creatures like that. Excited for short run tomorrow & next day just because.

Toasty Toes

Warm awesome new socks from Blondie, gracias!

Balance

Ran 16.2 on Christmas eve morning, had to grunt for that last 2 miles. My quads & calf muscles were screaming. More than a bit excited but nervous for 26.2.

Spent last two days eating wonderful food, dips & sugar product. Time to get back on the wagon! Hello New Year, so glad to see you!!!

FAT is a feminist issue...

Covert Baily, Fat is a feminist issue....I always remember that book title from my mom's bookshelf :-). Loved a little ditty from a blogger today....woman just had a baby 3 wks ago and was sitting down nursing and texted her friend "I feel fat." Her friend texted back "Fat is NOT a feeling. How do you FEEL?"

Fat is not a feeling. So true and yet so hard to understand and make peace with. At the doctor yesterday I got weighed, and sadly I felt a twinge of anger at the #... Currently I am in the best shape of my adult life, lots of muscles....strong legs, calves, core, back. Only thing I would love to sculpt & define are my jiggly mom arms.
Other than that, nothing. Sure I have miles of cellulite on my thighs but that's just bad genetics, nothing gonna make that go away, aside from surgery or a wish from a genie lamp. Not 10 mile runs or 25 mile bike rides or skipping breakfast. Nothing. So why oh why did I feel dejected at my scale weight when the only thing on my entire human body I wish to alter (and can) is my arms? I think it's a chick thing, sad to say. Yup, some dudes go thru it too but I think a majority of it is women. We are taught that fat IS a feeling & a state of mind from a young age. So not true. If you move, groove & get your blood pumping & feel good in your skin, and love your mind & body & spirit~you should feel like a rock star. Simple as that. I wish it were that easy.
I do know for me, I have stopped wasting valuable energy & brain space on pondering my weight or the space my ass takes up in this world. If I put on jeans that are too tight, I pull them off, throw on black tights & a dress & feel fabulous. If I'm not feeling sexy in my swimsuit, I spend money on a gorgeous cover-up dress or sarong and rock that instead. "Making what ya got work & working what ya got"... My motto right now, at the highly enlightened age of a fabulous 38... :-)

Sunny in December

Running view... Not bad

Marathon training...a solitary endeavor

Gorgeous run. Only 10 miles~need a 16-18 this weekend. Trying to think 10 is rad tho, I hate the pressure of marathon training and 10 miles not being awesome enough. Seriously?

Fantastic run! Strong, had lots of gas in the tank but not the time. That's a good problem to have!

I'm a Runner...and so much more...

On the trail today grinding out a run before we leave for the weekend.  So hard to make a run a priority when all you want to do is pack, snuggle kiddo and get away for the weekend but...got it done.  Boooyah!!!!  As I was running I had this overwhelming feeling/rush of "I AM A RUNNER" from the gear to the resolve to the joy I get from being out there.  It is an amazing feeling, especially because there was a time when I could not (when pushed) define myself at all.  Curled up in the corner of a couch, sad & weepy when asked "what are your hobbies/interests?" by my counselor.  Now I can strongly say "I am a runner, swimmer, biker chick, triathlete, part-time vegan, fitness enthusiast, life ....enthusiast!  The one thing I have realized in the past few years that is ever important to me is LOVE.  Love for myself, if I don't have that, I have absolutely nothing to give to all the amazing people in my life.  They deserve so much, from me...and in order to give that to them, I need to give SO much more to myself first.

Getting my gift giving groove on!

Celtic sea salt, lucky NYE peas & protein power packed green peas!

Need to run BIG

Loving my running lately buuuuuuuut need to run BIG...that's it.  Need to run BIG....and soon.  That's the only bummer about a marathon.  Hard to just chill and enjoy running just to run, if you don't put up big numbers at least once a week, you might be in trouble come game day.

Cookie Break

Cookie baking day...so much sugar & junk food. Gotta get back on track tomorrow :-). 2.5 mile jog around the avenue, gorgeous view, easy run.

This week is two big rides, a short run and 16-18miles somehow/somewhere!

Got Something Done

I was pretty sure I wasn't gonna run today and then I kicked myself in the ass and said "JUST TRY" and so I did.  Within 6 minutes of huffing & puffing my mindset was 100% turned around and I am yet again in a state of shock & awe about how INSANELY AWESOME exercise is.  A total mood adjuster in the purest form.  I really wish today had allowed me to run 16-18 miles but I didn't.  I ran 3.6 glorious miles, felt like a rock star, improved my mood and the feel of my pms-laden body & spirit and....all is good.

One Bad Mother Runner

Bad being the key word. Training for Maui is going BADly...life creeps in & takes over. I literally have zero time for a long run until NEXT Thursday. Today was supposed to be 14-16m, I even fueled this AM with a big bowl of oats...but a sick kiddo with a bellyache coming into our bed at 1am & stealing my pillow and then all of us sleeping till 8am, put a damper on the long run plans. Along with crushing pms & cramps that make me want to curl on the couch with Amelia, Brokeback Mountain & drink tea all day...running/training is not getting done at the right level today. Big Sigh.

So IT might not be getting done today but something will get done...Wish me luck.

Grit Run

So many factors against my run today: 4 hrs sleep, PMS, tired headache, chilly air, lack of motivation, yadda yadda. The factors in my favor: clear sunshine, time, the right gear, bomb-ass music & the looming date of 26.2 Jan 22. First few paces of the run were torture, sore, cold toes, crunchy bod, heavy...I think I literally clenched my teeth to soldier on.

Tunes bumping...people who run without music are rad, that's not me. I NEED my beats to move, then I'm rad. Settled into run, only thing that really kept me going was that I knew I needed to log this maintenance run & then it started to feel awesome as usual. I did the out & back trick...run AWAY from your car, so you can't cut a run short, you gotta get it done to get home!

Took Galloway 1min walk breaks & still ended up with 11:17, not bad at all. Feeling groovy, now I get to have fun & swim :-)

Ultra

Somehow my run keeper stayed on & logged 52 miles over a few days. I gotta say, for someone who wants to do an ULTRA at some point in her life...seeing that 52 miles is exhilarating & motivating!

Happy Feet

Sunkist Toes for December

Rodota Sunshine Run

Gorgeous run today, perfect running weather.  Brilliant sunshine but cool temps, enough to not crazy overheat.  Got on the trail by 8:45am, early for a weekend~hard to tear myself away from the family.  I gotta plan for more mid-week long runs when dad is at work and dude is in school.

Overall, a great run but I was secretly shooting for 15-16 and ended up just shy of 14.  Not too shabby for a workout but not too great for marathon training.  As I wrapped up the run I kept thinking to myself "can't you pull out another 2 miles?"  The answer was a resounding "nope."  During the run I felt great, no real issues aside from the standard: slight yelps from achilles & just being tired/ a bit bored (despite the gorgeous scenery & being out RUNNING!) and needing to push myself to keep going.  Hard to look at your watch and think "oh wow, wrapped up an hour...only 2 more to go!)  Que thoughts of the English Patient, about as long as I run...would always choose to run for 3 hrs vs. EVER watch that movie again.  I brought along water (big bonus, turns out I am a hydration hog), gummies, Gu and pretzels. I could tell I didn't eat breakfast (bad I know) by mile 7, I was bonking.  Won't make that mistake again.  Had a few funny crazy thoughts...one guy rode by on his bike and I thought "wow! how unsafe to be biking without a life vest!"  Then I realized I was thinking of the wrong sport, got a good laugh out of that for a few minutes that pushed me along.  I also decide that in the last 2 miles I would end at Coffee Catz and get a latte, so my mind kept chanting "will run for coffee, will run for coffee..."

Really going to try and make running performance my priority.  By that I mean not just running but sleeping and eating.  I have been eating whatever I want due to being so hungry from ramping up running.  I really want to make smarter, healthier choices, less dairy/meat/sugar and lots more veggies & lean protein.  Also WATER WATER WATER.  More Nuun too, when I had a stockpile of Nuun I drank way more water, gotta buy more Nuun.

Felt Ok about the 13.6m until I heard my marathon buddy ran 17.5m...When it comes to running I have zero competition, for distance or time.  The past few years I haven't felt that zing of jealousy or competition in really any area of my life...kids, jobs, fitness skill, Jean size...just don't feel the high school pull of envy at all any more.  Yet, when I saw that she ran 17.5 I could not help but think my run wasn't 'good enough.'  So NOT true I know but still felt a twinge.  Good thing to pay attention to, breathe through it, pat myself on the back, pop ibuprofen (sore!) and adventure on at my own pace & on my own journey.  Enjoying it all.

Fair...????

THIS is exactly why I have run free (no gps or timing or watches) for so long.  I like to know my exact mileage lately but I don't like RunKeeper classifying my hard-earned run as FAIR.  Dislike!

Run Stats

Ok, time to admit I am a solid (can't stand that word, makes me feel heavy in so many senses of the word but oh well) 11:30 miler.  There are worse things in life, like not getting off the couch!

When I am cruising along I don't feel slow but apparently I am (on most pace calendars the last pace calculation is 12:00 miles).  At an 11:30m pace, I 'should' finish Maui in 5:01, a hilariously 1:17 faster than Portland (dude, what happened there?  Oh yeah, RAIN & Injury & Dehydration/Hypothermia.  Still a total blast tho') I know that if I am watching the time and if it's possible for my body, I want to push it a bit and finish at 4:59 at least :-) 4:58 would be better tho' :-)

Chug chug chugging it out

Had to work so hard for these measly 3.88 miles but worth it.  Body still sore from long run Sunday, waited till mid-afternoon to run, really wanted to swim instead, sunny but chilly..blah blah blah.  The first 3 minutes I think tears actually formed in my eyes, it was that fun (NOT), just felt crunchy & slow & heavy....but then I got in my groove and soldiered on.  As always, glad I got in a tiny run, loosened up some of the soreness & was out in the sunshine soaking up Vitamin D.  Win.

Solid

So these stats are a bit off since I walked a .5 mile cool down. Should be about 11:30 min mile...Glad I have no ego to bruise! At 10k's and Halfs I average 10-10:30 miles, so I guess on my own I am a pokey.

Oh well, I felt great. No side aches! Barely any Achilles pain (a wee bit) and no other issues at all. Strong core, felt soooooo good, strong legs too. A bit achey feet, new shoes so that's not an excuse, just 14 miles aches I guess! Shoulda carried water though. A few gummy bears yummmm.

Only problem today was making myself continue to run past 6-8 miles, accountable only to me. I guess thats why people like running groups or partners, it does help pass the time...not me, lone wolf, just me & LMFAO. That's my cruel mistress~accountability. Got it done today though, yahoo! Feel so high (and sore) tonight, great feeling. Love love love love looooooooved being out in that morning fog, alone......running. RAD.

A fantastic much-needed run!

Long run in the WestCo fog, my favorite!

Mind Control

What a brilliant run today. Perfect weather, great legs, strong core...fun fun fun.  Most of all, I finally created the best cold weather running outfit for ME.  I've spent the past few cold runs with a long sleeved shirt half on, then off, then tied around my waist (which I hate), and a few times I was ready to just chuck a great piece of running gear because it being on my person was just screwing up my run mojo. I am a tanktop workout junkie, can't have my arms covered, even in pouring rain or cold.  So today I put together this outfit: arm warmers, running tanktop, fleece vest, gloves.  Perfection.  Wish I had gone longer & farther but had a lot to do before I picked up kiddo from school & honestly, my mind was racing with so many things I had/wanted to do I could not muscle the resolve to run for another hour.

I do LOVE the matter of simple mind control, LOVE.  I truly believe exercise is 90% mental and only 10% body if that (man, I wish my 10% body wasn't afflicted with achilles and hip issues but I hate to be nit-picky).  I have only been able to run for the past few years because I have changed my way of thinking in regards to running.  It is no longer physical for me, it is a mental game and has been since I spent 6 + hours in the rain at Portland Marathon.  Now, I run because I want to & I need to and I make my body follow, even if it isn't willing!

Today I wrapped up my run at 6 miles but wasn't feeling done, since I had hoped to do 10-12 and I had the time but I had other things I wanted to do.  So basically I felt like I was ditching my commitment...soooooo I started the silent chant "I OWN you!" to my legs and feet and made them do 2 more miles and it felt awesome.  It wasn't 10 but it was a brillant 8 :-)  My two favorite phrases to scream silently in my head are "I OWN you!" and of course the American Pie favorite "Say my name B*&ch!"  Works for me in getting my feet to move onward! :-) Also the pic below is gonna be a new mantra, from myself to myself...getting out of my own way is always a good thing & usually ends up a huge success.

*Looking to take a long Thanksgiving morning run and an even longer Sunday run after all the eating & gluttonous partying.*

Green Machine

Been rocking the greens lately. Smoothies, soups, side dishes to dinners & this morning made garlic spinach with fried eggs. Soooooo good. Trying to nourish the body more. Running & biking come easy, eating well & sleeping more not as easy...but trying!

Run Time

10k in San Francisco...total blast! Gorgeous weather, had painful 'crazy toe' as I call it but the morning turned out RAD as a running event always is! Felt strong, happy & just totally enjoyed myself.... as running should be :-)

Mermaid Runners!

Mermaid Run SF

Big Ride Big Fun

Big ride today put to Dillion. No time constraints, so gorgeous but cool enough to not be sweating it out. Absolute wheelie bliss. I feel so lucky & blessed each time to be out there. To have the time to do it of course is a blessing but also to own the inner confidence & strength to be out on the roads on my bike is a gift I've built up for myself.

Do LIFE...

Go to this blog. Now. Watch the video.  So honest, this young man just lives it & tells it like it is. Be inspired to BE happy.

Ben Does Life

Its a Runners World

I love RW magazine, looooooove. The articles, tips & pictures are always just what I need. Just read an inspiring article about a mother runner and her closing quote sums up exactly why I run, especially as a wife & mother. I do so many things in my life for others (and in return I am so very loved & taken care of by so many & I never take a moment for granted) but life has a way of splitting a woman into a million pieces if you let it. "Running is the only thing I have that's mine." ~Christine Orr

Awesome

Took a late afternoon run today. Muscles sore from big ride yesterday & had a few side aches (I blame the blue tortilla chips I stuffed my face with) but as always, the run was awesome. Music blaring & feet moving & legs working...never fails to make me feel rad.

Nike asks: I run to BE.... and Saucony says: Find your strong. I say I run to feel strong & beautiful~I feel amazing when I run. My mind drifts to thoughts of marathons, ultras, my family, friends, jr. jazzercise, food, life journeys...

When I run I am lean, strong, super fit & feminine..I am my OWN ideal woman when I run. No magazine, lipstick, fad diet or $200 pair of good-ass jeans can make me feel as gorgeous as I feel when I am out running.  That's a fact.

Big ride, Big fun

Awesome ride as always with Blondie on the backroads.  The roads are steep but man, we kick ASS!  We just chat away merrily as we pound up these grades (only 1-2 times did we have to stop talking to grunt away or suck air to get up the hills).  Riding is just insanely awesome therapy, girl talk all the way & amazingly fantastic cardio.  After we finished up our heart-pounding ride we jetted for tacos in the 15 minutes we had before preschool pick-up.  I could feel my blood still rushing, my cheeks flushing, I just felt ALIVE and I love the way exercise does that for a person, LOVE. Watched a cheesy ABC news clip today about the happiest woman in America, yadda yadda she had her kiddo at the right time (27-33 apparently is the sweet spot) and her husband, who is a doctor makes dinner every night (she's got a winner there) but the things about her happy/balanced life that really stood out for me were this: a 10 min walk can give you energy & endorphins for up to TWO hours, 30 minutes of exercise a day can reduce your chance of depression by 12%...SO true! Moving & grooving are natural anti-depressants for the body & heart & soul.  it's a simple fact, you move your body & get your blood pumping and your lungs moving in & out, you will feel good, I promise!  It's in our genetic make-up, we were meant to MOVE.

One reason I love to ride...the VIEW, not too shabby eh?

Mojo...

Even though last week, I ran 11 miles (and before that 13, before that 12, 11, 10...so I'm no slouch) ~ lately I had been feeling like I lost my running mojo or it was hibernating.  No idea why, it was only a few days lag, maybe coming off Nike Half or the fact that I have been rolling a lot on my bike & loving it so much (I almost feel like I am cheating on running, oy vey).  I dunno.  Last week I took two big bike rides, a short swim, a long walk and a short 3 miler in the scorching sun and STILL felt like I had lost my mojo.  I'm not sure what it is but there is a big difference for me in waking up in the morning and feeling this pulsating energy of "nothing is going to stop me from a long awesome run today!!!" and " oh, hmmm I guess I 'should' run today, I 'need' to get in a long run, buuuuuut..." My marathon buddy is at 15 milers right now and I envy her get'up and go, lately I feel my "get up & go has gone up & went", to quote a Hallmark birthday card.

Yesterday I drove to Spring Lake for a run, not keen on the drive when I could just as easily walk out my front door & run but I thought the scenery & the fact that everyone there running, walking or stroller'ing it might motivate me.  I spent too much time dorking around & so by the time I got on the trail it was warm & in that sluggish late morning zone.  I set out, my original plan of a looong run geared down to 'whatever' I ended up doing.  Once I was out there, after a few water stops & Gu, I felt IT.  I felt my mojo, I was happy to be there, the 'should' faded away and was replaced by my favorite feelings of "I LOVE running, I love being out here, I feel free and this is absolutely the exact way I want to spend my time right now!"  YEAH!  Overall I ran 2 hrs~10.2 miles, not breaking any speed records for sure but man it felt AWESOME.  I finished so much stronger than I started which always rocks.  I still had gas in my tank for 3 or 4 miles but I didn't have the time.  Always so much better to run out of time before stamina, woooohooooo.  It was just what I needed.

Was supposed to bike today but woke with sore legs (and a pain in my ass, lingering hamstring issue) and my riding buddy felt more like yoga than biking today.  It is gorgeous outside and I always feel guilty about not soaking up gorgeous biking weather, something I have to contend with (feelings of guilt when I am not being 100% productive every day, a bad SAHM habit :-)  So I took the day off from fitness (I was going to swim but never made the trek) and it is surprising to me how many hours are in a free day when you aren't off running, biking or swimming...crazy! Worked on my house like mad, felt good to literally clean house in a lot of ways.

Still dealing with the lingering hamstring issue which doesn't hamper my running or biking but aches a lot and is a pain.  I am trying not to get too stressed or anxious about 26.2 in January and if my body will happily & healthily be able to accomplish that distance.  Pondering....

SLEEP, gotta sleep more, going to bed at 1am is not the same as going to bed at 11pm...gotta hammer that into my brain!

Also pondering diet & how to eat as close to whole foods and healthy as possible, especially heading into the danger zone of the holiDAZE.  I love really tasty favorite holiday foods but I loathe the way I stuff my face with junk (like gross packaged onion dip or fruitcake) that I seem to eat even if I don't like it.  I am really hoping to fill this season with insanely healthy & great tasting foods & dishes, whole foods that reflect the season and brim with wonderful flavors.  Foods that fill up my body & my heart with holiday goodness.

Good Things...

Was all set to do the Cloverdale Half Marathon today but the website threw me off a bit (carry your own cell phone we can't provide EMS) and it was the first annual event. I think i'll wait until next year after they work out the kinks.  It was also $100 smackers which I will gladly spend instead on a new pair of shoes or vest I am eyeing.  So I planned to get up at 6:30am and out the door at home by 7am.  The problem with long weekend runs are that weekends are so gloriously lazy at our house and I hate to leave the nest.  I always end up leaving to run about 10am, when it's hot & my belly is too full of pancakes, UGH.  Kiddo is too young for the crazy weekend soccer shuffle yet & we are notorious for not accepting weekend activity invites, just so we can do..NOTHING.  Still, I had to get in a long run today and it was predicted to be warm so I had to make myself GO and the earlier the better.

6:30am was waaaaaay too early though, so I chilled, made breakfast, had some coffee, and ignored my slight migraine headache (since I have been getting them like every single morning, they have become a bore).  I geared up to get out the door.  By the time I was ready to roll I had decided I would just do 5-6 miles and save the long run for mid-week.  I strapped on my new camelback fanny pack water carrier (every single hand-held I have bought I have loathed after a few runs, my arm gets tired, my stride gets thrown off & I end up sticking it in the back of my pants, *awkward*).

8:45am I started off on the Rodota for a no frills no hills run.  The morning was still cool, and I could see hot air balloons landing & vineyards to my left...there are worse ways to spend a Sunday morning!  At first I didn't like the Camelback, (I love to run free~no packs, no phone, nothing but my tiny shuffle  clipped on my bra) I could feel the weight (lord knows I don't need to carry any more weight when running, I'm slow enough as it is!) and it cinched tightly at my waist and I could feel my belly pooching out the bottom below the strap.  Sigh....gotta let the vanity go though, I know for me I can NEVER run vain or it will be a terrible run, thru and thru...so I had to just let it GO.  I did like the tightness of the pack against my waist, I can never put anything below my waist (on my hips) since it will flop around (with a big backside but smaller waist, everything rides up, always) and anything floppy is a run killer.  So I had to pull an Urkel and cinch the Camelback high under my ribs, I'm sure I looked like a fashion maven..NOT.

After a few miles I settled into the Camelback and the way it hugged my lower back felt awesome.  My mind wandered to Caz hugs and how everyone there always squeezes you tight and rubs your back and after having that visual I think I ran the next few miles with a huge grin on my face.  The run was EXTRA-ordinary...body felt amazing & strong, no side aches, barely a twinge from my ankles, everything felt so aligned and again, strong strong strong.  BLISS.  Eleven miles and it felt like a 10k as I wrapped it up, big win!

I kept thinking about the long ride to Dillion beach I had taken on Friday with Miss Amber.  I was a bit stressed about the time since I had to meet kiddo & my folks and I am looking forward to a repeat ride when I don't have to look at my watch.  It was an amazing ride, gorgeous weather & conversation, hilly & long.  I was so surprised and pleased at how I powered up most the hills.  My legs were barking near the final hills but overall, I felt so strong & fit.  I have come so far from that first ride a year ago, when Blondie and I rode Rodota & a little bit of Stony Point road & I was a nervous wreck, I think any soreness I had from that ride was from anxiety not fitness.  I feel so differently now and that has to do with one thing: Getting out there repeatedly, facing the fear monster & moving ahead.  KEEP CALM~CARRY ON....this has never been my strong suit but man, have I changed a lot in the past year.  Crazy awesome.

One thing I have been thinking about during my running (ok, I think about a bazillion things but...) is Volleyball.  In Jr.High I was on the volleyball team and it was hard & I'm not even sure why I was on the team, maybe it was because my friends did it.  At the time I thought our coach was insanely demanding & evil  (but I was not naturally athletic & I was shy, two very difficult things to be on a team sport).  I did not give up though, I did the endless liners, I swallowed my fear during games and bumped the ball and also became a winner when it came to serving.  I had a sneak serve, while all the other girls jumped up and smacked it open handed (way too athletic for me) I hit it softly underhanded & the ball would ...just barely cruise over the net and then not be returned, it was my one & only stellar move.  I basically just showed up, tried to be invisible & not get hit in the face with the ball all while smiling and appearing relaxed (yeah right!)  I really didn't enjoy any aspect of the game but I wanted to be a part of the team and so I smiled, joked and just tried to act like I belonged.  After the season ended and there was awards night, I just sat back and watched everyone else get their kudos, which was cool for me, I didn't mind.  The only awards I ever got were academic ribbons, for things like ordering the most books every month from scholastic book club or for being the only one who honestly liked the 1950's Romeo & Juliet movie they showed in English class.  The volleyball coach handed out all the awards & then was talking about the final award which was for the coaches award or sportsmanship award, I can't recall.  The award sounded awesome though, it was for team spirit & commitment & a positive attitude...overall it was for having a winning personality even if you weren't the most athletic or coordinated person on the team.  I gotta admit in the back of my mind I was praying about how cool it would feel to win an award like that some day...and then she called MY name.  MY name...I wasn't even positive she knew my name, that is how invisible I tried to be or felt I was.  I had never been awarded a trophy in my life, let alone anything associated with athletics or commitment or spirit.  It was an amazing feeling, I'm not sure I really took it all in at the time.  I was in Jr.High too so maybe I didn't really care all that much at the time.  Well...yeah I did.

I still have that trophy.  Now when I'm running I think about it, how I unexpectedly got an award for just being myself, for giving it a try & being funny & smiling even though my stomach was in knots and most of the time I was sure someone would yell from the bleachers "what is SHE doing out there on the court?!?!"  Yet, I was OUT THERE.  I got an award for just being me & apparently me was good enough back then and it is even better now that I actually believe it :-)

Running takes the pain away

It is so odd to me how I can be limping & so sore I don't want to squat down to tie my shoe because my quads are screaming but....a run/walk takes all that soreness away.  Crazy how that happens!  It was slow going at Spring Lake and there was more walking than running the first 20 min but then after warming up, the body felt great and now hours later almost all my half mary soreness is gone.

Pondering Cloverdale Half Marathon.  I love local events, especially new ones and I really would love to support this one in being an annual event.  I guess I could volunteer to be involved but I would rather run...selfish me :-)

http://runthewinecountry.org/

Nike Half Marathon...nice necklace & more

Nike Women's Marathon DONE!  Long story short:  won a free entry from Athletic Soles & ClubOne.  Stressed about driving & parking at 4:45Am but it was a breeze.  Event was HUGE, first time ever I felt anxious about being trampled if anyone started to freak out or yelled 'fire', it was that cozy & close quarters.  Lots of crazy great energy & sooooo many ladies and first timers out there.  So many shapes, sizes & ages.  The course was scenic, a bit too many hills for me but maybe I'm just lazy.  I was sweating buckets, overcast & gray but warm.

• Was thirsty before the start & gulped water at every aid station despite having super hydrated the day before with Nuun & water.  Gotta take a look at my hydration strategy for next event.   Three GU's, might need more & gummy bears & salt.
• Outfit was perfect, exactly what I wear at home, no chafe or issues.  
• Might need new shoes & socks, got blisters & hot spots near big toe, sore feet and soles for first time ever by mile 11.  
• Shuffle said "battery low" after one hour, might need a new one as well, I think I wear out the battery blasting my music.

Felt really strong until mile 7/8 and then lost some steam but overall I just LOVED being out there running, with my music and so many other runners.  It was a dream.  I really like Mermaid & town sponsored events (SF, Santa Rosa, etc) a lot better.  Not a fan of the Nike Giant, their hugely expensive branded clothes & bloated crazy  confusing website (horrible) BUT love TnT and the 108 million raised.  I also LOVE the attention NWM gets and how many women go from couch to 13.1 miles, even if only for once in their life...they are out there.  I love that.

Only ONE small corner of the racing masses

Nike Marathon

San Fran

Happy runner

Running bling

Gearing up for Nike

Spent the past 4 days curled up with a major bellyache and was really missing my regular workouts.  Today hit the pavement in the pouring & misting rain and it was AWESOME.  It's always fun to be on a run and get rained on but actually heading out INTO the pouring rain is another story.  Had to dig deep but oh my was it worth it.  Warm but soggy, the legs felt amazing after 4 day break.  Just felt free & empowering to be out in the empty gray morning, although even in rain, the older folks who walk their dogs are always out...I love it.

I wish I was doing Nike with a group or at least one person I knew, the shuffle to get to the city pre-race is a bit tricky & not excited about that but overall super-stoked to be with 22,500 other amazing female runners who are out there getting it done.

Fuel

I wish I ate clean 100% of the time, I know my body would love me for it.

STRETCH!

I wish I could outsource my Fonda to someone...

Best Ever

Best ever ad....I think of nearly ALL of these things on a run (except the Vaseline...ok maybe that too, I admit... when my armpits chafe on long runs).

They scored big with this ad, kudos marketing department & you're runner research! Pancakes, cheetahs, potties, donuts (even the pink is spot-on), all of it...this is the visual mind of a runner. Makes me proud to be one!

Quiet Stillness

My cozy autumn/winter feelings are already creeping back in & I am feeling quieter, slower & wanting to fill my belly with all things pumpkin!  It is also that time of year that I eat a lot of rich foods & sweet foods...usually I eat for comfort & also 'tis the season of goodies all around.  I'm not swearing off the goodies for the season, I can't (and don't want to do that, I like my pumpkin pie & candied walnuts too much) but I am committing to working out and eating as clean as possible so that I feel good & confident during the dark & short winter days when those cases of the "lazy's, downers, mopey's" can creep in to your psyche.  I also love the tradition of not making new year's resolutions based on my weight, fitness or health.  This is the 3 or 4 year that I have committed to getting healthy BEFORE Jan 1 to avoid the "next year I will love my body & be happy with myself"...I want it now not next year!

Did a fabulous 5k Harvest Fair fun run today with Storm & CJ Lightening, Saxy (10k for her!)...a beautiful autumn morning.  I was super tired from a long 9 mile run the day before (on the heels of a long run Thursday, which I shouldn't do, need more short runs) & night out dancing but it felt amazing to be out there & push through the tired & get those endorphins, nothing better!  Ummmm yeah and CJ Lightening is only 8 wks post-baby delivery and KICKING ASS, I am so motivated by her grit & grace!

The last week or so I have been very quiet & tired, not sure if it is coming off being sick, running, triathlon, or getting sick again (nooooo) but I seem to think it has to do with the change of the seasons and needing to just be quiet & cozy.  It's not a bad quiet, just mellow, a bit weepy (but not in a sad way), my acupuncturist would have some beautiful way to sum up my feelings & remind me to just chill during the cold dark months....To take care of myself & SLEEP more.  Runners World mag said that while training for a marathon one should get 9-10 hrs of sleep a day, WHAT?!?!?!  

On my schedule for fall is: the Nike Women's Half Marathn in 2 weeks (YEAH!), Mermaid 10k in November and a Maui Marathon in January.  I have already started mapping out fun events for 2012 that I don't want to miss. I hate it when I look up an event and see it was the weekend before or something.  I really want to do a lot of women centered runs, centuries & Tri's in 2012.

List of Awesome (my to-do list basically :-)

• 2012 events calendar (Cinderella, Death Ride, TriGirlTri, P10)
• Core work, arm weights, strength training
• Gym classes for cardio, strength & crankcycle
• Clean eating
• Acupuncture
• Physical Therapy on right ankle

A Good Tired....

Good week coming off Mermaid Tri~feeling so empowered after ocean swim and the whole event overall was just righteous.

• Monday & Tuesday, lazy rest days.  
• Wednesday, hot & sweaty 15 mile or so hill climbing ride.  
• Today ran about 8-9~went out for 2 hours, more running than walking but walked a fair amount (all over body tired).  Was shooting for 10-11 miles but that wasn't gonna happen.  

All in all feel great but sore and tired...heading into possible Tri Girl Tri if I can get my butt out of bed for a winding and dark drive to Berryessa on Saturday.  If not, no worries.  Harvest run on Sunday, 5k if Tri and 10k if no Tri.  Loving Autumn, love.

Mermaid

Go!

Going for it!