Thanksgiving Day '08 started out well enough. I had checked Accuweather the night before. It was supposed to stop raining at 6 am and everything would be fine. I checked it again in the morning and it still looked clear.
We left at 6, 30 minutes later than I wanted to, but with my mom driving and all... Took forever to get off the freeway. Parking was like Carlsbad all over again. We ended off parking on some Lantern street about 1.5 mile from the Start line. I was signed up for the 10K and my MIL and Mom were going to walk the 5K. It was sprinkling. We made it to the registration table to pick up our stuff.
It was a mad house. I'm guessing the rain and the piss poor directions that led to the traffic jam off the freeway, also led to the delay in the race start. Although I picked up my number in time to run, I begged off. It was flashbacks of Surf City 5K all over again. I was never going to get that wet again, if I could help it!
It turned out to be the right decision. It started to pour! We sought refuge in the Kool 'n Fit tent, where I got a great deal on 2 bottles of Kool n' Fit (the best conditioning spray evah!) We waited here for about 15 minutes before the rain broke enough for us to run to the Sushi restaurant that had opened it's doors. They didn't serve food, but were making pitchers of bloody marys. They didn't expect us to buy anything, which was great.
Finally we made it back to the van and went home. At least we walked our 5K!
11.30.2008
11.24.2008
I Quit...
No, I don't quit running. I quit compression shorts with no grippy things at the leg openings.
I don't know how this slipped past me. Maybe it's because I've pretty much been wearing my tri shorts for all my training runs. Maybe my shorts are too small (or too big) but the past few runs chub rub has returned with a vengeance. I did forget my body glide once. That cut my 6 miles to 4 real fast. My 7 miler on Sunday saw me slather the lube on like no tomorrow. The run wasn't uncomfortable, but I do now have chub rash. It's really not pretty.
So I'm looking for pants and tights (read anything capri length as it ends up wearing like full length pants on me). I'm probably going to get some longer, almost knee length shorts. I'm open to suggestions. I might have to ditch the skirts/skorts completely. Especially the Nike ones. They like short shorts...
I don't know how this slipped past me. Maybe it's because I've pretty much been wearing my tri shorts for all my training runs. Maybe my shorts are too small (or too big) but the past few runs chub rub has returned with a vengeance. I did forget my body glide once. That cut my 6 miles to 4 real fast. My 7 miler on Sunday saw me slather the lube on like no tomorrow. The run wasn't uncomfortable, but I do now have chub rash. It's really not pretty.
So I'm looking for pants and tights (read anything capri length as it ends up wearing like full length pants on me). I'm probably going to get some longer, almost knee length shorts. I'm open to suggestions. I might have to ditch the skirts/skorts completely. Especially the Nike ones. They like short shorts...
11.22.2008
4th Photo Tag
I took Viv's challenge over there on the I'm Not Fit to Run. The rules?
1. Pick the 4th photo folder on your computer
2. Pick the 4th picture in that file
3. Explain the picture
4. Tag 4 more people.
Yasmin getting ready to toss her bouquet.
2. Pick the 4th picture in that file
3. Explain the picture
4. Tag 4 more people.
Yasmin getting ready to toss her bouquet.Yes this is me. At ~195lbs. Getting married. I get to stare at these pictures (read that body) every time I want to remember that day. Let's just say that day doesn't get remembered too much. At least not pictorially.
It really is amazing, the progress I've made. I know I don't give myself enough credit, especially this past few months where I've gained a few of these pounds back. Even when I know some of the pounds are muscles and a well needed gain. All I know is there is no way I'll be 195 again. Unless you strap 45lbs on my back and weigh me. Hopefully, it'll be more like strapping 65 pounds on my body. I'll get there some day.
Now for the tagging. I'm not sure who reads and doesn't post, but here's who I tag. Kelly Donut, both Jens (Dent and Polk) and AKA Alice. I'd love to see what/who stars in your pictures.
It really is amazing, the progress I've made. I know I don't give myself enough credit, especially this past few months where I've gained a few of these pounds back. Even when I know some of the pounds are muscles and a well needed gain. All I know is there is no way I'll be 195 again. Unless you strap 45lbs on my back and weigh me. Hopefully, it'll be more like strapping 65 pounds on my body. I'll get there some day.
Now for the tagging. I'm not sure who reads and doesn't post, but here's who I tag. Kelly Donut, both Jens (Dent and Polk) and AKA Alice. I'd love to see what/who stars in your pictures.
11.20.2008
Bad Air or Cake?
So I think I need to add Carrot Cake to the list of foods I can't eat before a run. Or maybe it's the air quality. Apparently this was a moderate air quality day. This means "Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion." Hmm... does this mean an overweight asthmatic should refrain from running 5 miles? Surely not! Those warnings never are talking to me!
In my defense, I didn't check the air quality before I went running after work. I ran on the San Diego Creek Trail. It was overcast and the air didn't smell or feel thick. (Trust me, you can feel the air when it gets thick, at least I can. Maybe it's the asthma. It's my spidee sense).
Views from the trail: It's Irvine!
I didn't really come close to my plan. It was 1 mile warm up (check), 3 miles at 10:26 (ppffttt), and 1 mile cool down (check). However I did get the miles in and t hat brings me closer to my 13.1, right? Also, I may add a flat 1/2 marathon 2 weeks before my target race. Right during peak week. I think I can do it. Also, I'm crazy.
In my defense, I didn't check the air quality before I went running after work. I ran on the San Diego Creek Trail. It was overcast and the air didn't smell or feel thick. (Trust me, you can feel the air when it gets thick, at least I can. Maybe it's the asthma. It's my spidee sense).
Views from the trail: It's Irvine!
I didn't really come close to my plan. It was 1 mile warm up (check), 3 miles at 10:26 (ppffttt), and 1 mile cool down (check). However I did get the miles in and t hat brings me closer to my 13.1, right? Also, I may add a flat 1/2 marathon 2 weeks before my target race. Right during peak week. I think I can do it. Also, I'm crazy.11.15.2008
Saved
So I'm not running the trail with Devil's Crotch tomorrow. In fact, I'm probably not running outside at all tomorrow. With all the fires, and if you didn't know Southern California was on fire, well it is, I'm thinking my lungs will be happier with me if I bang out the 6 miles on the dread instead of outside.
I did take a pretty insane spin class. This guy gets in 100 push-ups between the bike activity and sprinkles in some crunches for added flavor. He did give us a "lecture" that I thought was aimed directly at me. He told us the way to get up the hills faster was in our cardio sprint (kick he calls them) intervals. I know I wasn't sprinting all out. I realize that I don't really have a bike "kick" like I have a run "kick", that sprint at the end of a race, you know. I also wanted to yell at him "my thighs have not recovered from the body pump class on Wednesday." but I didn't. Aside from embarrassing myself and the friend I went to spin class with, it sounds very whiny and very much like an excuse. I mean, it was 3 days ago and it's my fault that my legs are so out of shape and sore.
I didn't HAVE to do all the squats and lunges. I didn't need to use the weights while I did the squats. I over estimated my ability level. That's the second time in 2 weeks. Maybe I need to dial it back...
I did take a pretty insane spin class. This guy gets in 100 push-ups between the bike activity and sprinkles in some crunches for added flavor. He did give us a "lecture" that I thought was aimed directly at me. He told us the way to get up the hills faster was in our cardio sprint (kick he calls them) intervals. I know I wasn't sprinting all out. I realize that I don't really have a bike "kick" like I have a run "kick", that sprint at the end of a race, you know. I also wanted to yell at him "my thighs have not recovered from the body pump class on Wednesday." but I didn't. Aside from embarrassing myself and the friend I went to spin class with, it sounds very whiny and very much like an excuse. I mean, it was 3 days ago and it's my fault that my legs are so out of shape and sore.
I didn't HAVE to do all the squats and lunges. I didn't need to use the weights while I did the squats. I over estimated my ability level. That's the second time in 2 weeks. Maybe I need to dial it back...
11.13.2008
Scheduling
I may need to do some rescheduling. Apparently I can not do a track work out the day after I take a body pump class. I'm hoping I can do an easy recovery run after a body pump class. I made it through 1 mile at 12:00 pace, 1/2 mile at 10:10, then started trading a 12-11:00 pace and walking every 1/4 mile or so.
Really my legs were that shot. I'm taking tomorrow off. I may lift some weights or do some ab work, but no lower body work, unless it's cycling. Maybe I'm just not going to do any weight bearing lower body work. I need to work out these legs so they don't freeze up.
On a slightly less related note, I may have found the cause of my toe numbing whilst running. Last weekend I was talking to Kell, one of my WeWa friends who'd come down from NorCal for a nice visit with some other WeWa'ers. I got to talking about my numbing toes with her, she's an Ironmate, the spouse/signification other of an Ironman. She starts asking about my shoes. How old are they? Did you have this problem in your previous pairs? etc.
The second question got me thinking. I didn't have this problem while training for my 1/2 running in the New Balance 1223s. I didn't have this problem, that I can remember, while training in my Saucony Hurricanes. She mentions that her husband tried out the new version of a shoe that he loved and it was horrible. The upgrade didn't work for his foot, even though it says it's designed to help you like the obsoleted version, just better.
So for the past couple of workouts, I've switched back to my (mostly) dead Hurricanes. Now I've only run about 5 miles in the Hurricanes (the run today and Body Pump), but I could still feel my toes at the end. I know I ran/walked but I'm wondering if my problem is the shoes!
I bet you smart people out there were yelling at me to check out my shoes, but man, they were supposed to be interchangeable with the old shoe. My "perfect" shoe. I never thought my NB would betray me.
I'm doing a trail run on Sunday, 5-6 miles (I need 6, but this is a hilly 5. In fact I've changed my mind from the post on Monday when I was doing the OC tri's run course. Now we're going back to Devil's Crotch.) I'll report back on my Hurricanes-numb toes issue. I know you're all on the edge of your seats.
Really my legs were that shot. I'm taking tomorrow off. I may lift some weights or do some ab work, but no lower body work, unless it's cycling. Maybe I'm just not going to do any weight bearing lower body work. I need to work out these legs so they don't freeze up.
On a slightly less related note, I may have found the cause of my toe numbing whilst running. Last weekend I was talking to Kell, one of my WeWa friends who'd come down from NorCal for a nice visit with some other WeWa'ers. I got to talking about my numbing toes with her, she's an Ironmate, the spouse/signification other of an Ironman. She starts asking about my shoes. How old are they? Did you have this problem in your previous pairs? etc.
The second question got me thinking. I didn't have this problem while training for my 1/2 running in the New Balance 1223s. I didn't have this problem, that I can remember, while training in my Saucony Hurricanes. She mentions that her husband tried out the new version of a shoe that he loved and it was horrible. The upgrade didn't work for his foot, even though it says it's designed to help you like the obsoleted version, just better.
So for the past couple of workouts, I've switched back to my (mostly) dead Hurricanes. Now I've only run about 5 miles in the Hurricanes (the run today and Body Pump), but I could still feel my toes at the end. I know I ran/walked but I'm wondering if my problem is the shoes!
I bet you smart people out there were yelling at me to check out my shoes, but man, they were supposed to be interchangeable with the old shoe. My "perfect" shoe. I never thought my NB would betray me.
I'm doing a trail run on Sunday, 5-6 miles (I need 6, but this is a hilly 5. In fact I've changed my mind from the post on Monday when I was doing the OC tri's run course. Now we're going back to Devil's Crotch.) I'll report back on my Hurricanes-numb toes issue. I know you're all on the edge of your seats.
11.12.2008
Squat It Out
If I hear those words again, I'll scream. It seems that the "resting" position in Body Pump is the squat.
My thighs are jello, my calves are fine though. There were a few times during the class I thought my legs were going to give out on me. I need to be better at switching to a lower weight when we do triceps. They're going to be yelling at me tomorrow. I think it's just what I need to get back into strength and cross training. Especially since my co-worker wants my review and thinks she'll go with me Mondays and Wednesdays.
I hope my legs hold up for my track/treadmill workout tomorrow!
My thighs are jello, my calves are fine though. There were a few times during the class I thought my legs were going to give out on me. I need to be better at switching to a lower weight when we do triceps. They're going to be yelling at me tomorrow. I think it's just what I need to get back into strength and cross training. Especially since my co-worker wants my review and thinks she'll go with me Mondays and Wednesdays.
I hope my legs hold up for my track/treadmill workout tomorrow!
11.10.2008
6 down...more training to go
Got my 6 miles in today. Ran around Lake Mission Viejo. It's about 3.1 miles all the way around so it was twice around for me. Also it's hilly. Why do I like to torture myself with hills?
According to my training schedule from Runners World Smart Coach, I was to run 6 miles at a 12:06 pace. Although I flirted with the 12:00 pace, I could never quite get myself there without walking. I'm not sure what to do about that. I was more in an 11:35 groove for the whole 6 miles. I'm thinking I might need to adjust my 5K pace that was the basis for the whole Smart Coach program. I'll have to check that out later.
It took bit longer for me to really settle in this run. Somewhere around mile 3 I knew I could finish it, although I promised myself my next long run would be more flat.
Ha! I got home to a message from my friend Jillian asking if I wanted to run the Orange County International run course. Yes the OMGWTFBBQ 6.2 miles. Of course I said yes, how's your weekend look!
Really, I did. I know, crazy, but maybe it'll make me a better runner, right?
According to my training schedule from Runners World Smart Coach, I was to run 6 miles at a 12:06 pace. Although I flirted with the 12:00 pace, I could never quite get myself there without walking. I'm not sure what to do about that. I was more in an 11:35 groove for the whole 6 miles. I'm thinking I might need to adjust my 5K pace that was the basis for the whole Smart Coach program. I'll have to check that out later.
It took bit longer for me to really settle in this run. Somewhere around mile 3 I knew I could finish it, although I promised myself my next long run would be more flat.
Ha! I got home to a message from my friend Jillian asking if I wanted to run the Orange County International run course. Yes the OMGWTFBBQ 6.2 miles. Of course I said yes, how's your weekend look!
Really, I did. I know, crazy, but maybe it'll make me a better runner, right?
11.09.2008
Hangin' Out
I had planned to do my 6 mile run on Saturday morning, before I met up with some of my friends who were in from out of town. I, however, prepared poorly. I wasn't hydrating well on Friday, then Friday night I had some chips and bean dip, beer battered onion rings, fried zucchini and some butternut squash pasta with cranberries and walnuts in a butter sauce. Chased that down with a beer and some water. Didn't get to bed until 11:30ish.
Sometime around 4am I woke up with really bad stomach pain. I should have remembered this pain. This happened to me before, the last time I ate lots of fried food. So I bailed on my run Saturday morning and thought I'd get to it Sunday morning.
Saturday the girls and I headed to the Aquarium of the Pacific, which was great AND has otters, then we ate at Bubba Gump shrimp, which had wonderful food, walked around the Long Beach Pier and headed back to hang out in Dana Point until 11:30 pm.
People, I don't stay out that late. I didn't turn into a pumpkin, though. I made it all the way home before I fell asleep.
Sunday was the day everyone had to get to the airport. I thought I'd be able to run in the afternoon, but the weekend caught up to me. My hour nap at 2:30 turned into an almost 2 hour nap and I didn't wake up until 4:15. By the time I'd get myself ready it would be 4:30. The sun starts setting here at about 4:55 and it's completely dark by 5:30.
So, the masochistic I am, I'm waking up a 4am tomorrow to run my 6 miles in the morning. Then running my easy 2 miles on Tuesday so I can get back into my training program. I'll figure out how to fit in Spin and Body Pump classes sometime...
Sometime around 4am I woke up with really bad stomach pain. I should have remembered this pain. This happened to me before, the last time I ate lots of fried food. So I bailed on my run Saturday morning and thought I'd get to it Sunday morning.
Saturday the girls and I headed to the Aquarium of the Pacific, which was great AND has otters, then we ate at Bubba Gump shrimp, which had wonderful food, walked around the Long Beach Pier and headed back to hang out in Dana Point until 11:30 pm.
People, I don't stay out that late. I didn't turn into a pumpkin, though. I made it all the way home before I fell asleep.
Sunday was the day everyone had to get to the airport. I thought I'd be able to run in the afternoon, but the weekend caught up to me. My hour nap at 2:30 turned into an almost 2 hour nap and I didn't wake up until 4:15. By the time I'd get myself ready it would be 4:30. The sun starts setting here at about 4:55 and it's completely dark by 5:30.
So, the masochistic I am, I'm waking up a 4am tomorrow to run my 6 miles in the morning. Then running my easy 2 miles on Tuesday so I can get back into my training program. I'll figure out how to fit in Spin and Body Pump classes sometime...
11.06.2008
Back on the Wagon
Apparently I over estimated my running base. Running 3 miles at a 10:26 pace, great. Running 1.75 miles down hill and 1.25 miles uphill at a 10:26 pace, not so great. As in it didn't happen. I did, however, keep a pace that was just under 11 min/mile, so I'll chalk that up as a win.
1/2 marathon training started this week. Before you ask, yes, I just came back from New Zealand. No I didn't run while I was there. Yes I realize I should have taken a week or so to ease back into running before I embarked on this training program. No, I won't reconsider changing my goal race from the Carlsbad 1/2 marathon.
I think I'll change my plan so my "easy" or slow long runs will take me on the hilly paths. I really want to finish this race strong and under 2:30.
In other news, I got attacked by Christmas. Now I realize the economy is such that retailers will want to start Christmas Sales next week. I know that there isn't very many good Thanksgiving songs but to put out Christmas decorations, no matter how small, before Thanksgiving is over? Isn't that some sort of faux pas? I know you all want objective evidence, you won't take me at my word that this happened, but it did. I even went back and took a picture of it with my phone to show you guys.
Yes it's blurry, I'm still getting used to the iPhone as a camera, but you get the idea. I also have not really started shopping for Christmas yet. Call me a procrastinator....
1/2 marathon training started this week. Before you ask, yes, I just came back from New Zealand. No I didn't run while I was there. Yes I realize I should have taken a week or so to ease back into running before I embarked on this training program. No, I won't reconsider changing my goal race from the Carlsbad 1/2 marathon.
I think I'll change my plan so my "easy" or slow long runs will take me on the hilly paths. I really want to finish this race strong and under 2:30.
In other news, I got attacked by Christmas. Now I realize the economy is such that retailers will want to start Christmas Sales next week. I know that there isn't very many good Thanksgiving songs but to put out Christmas decorations, no matter how small, before Thanksgiving is over? Isn't that some sort of faux pas? I know you all want objective evidence, you won't take me at my word that this happened, but it did. I even went back and took a picture of it with my phone to show you guys.
Yes it's blurry, I'm still getting used to the iPhone as a camera, but you get the idea. I also have not really started shopping for Christmas yet. Call me a procrastinator....
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