10k Follow-Up

As you know, I trained to fun a 10k on Thanksgiving morning in San Diego. The weather for the race was perfect running weather. At the start of the race the temp reached about 60 with a nice cool breeze. I resisted the urge to have too many drinks at dinner the night before, and rested up by going to sleep early.

There were a decent amount of people, but not so crowded that you couldn't quickly find your rhythm. The course winded through the streets of the gas lamp district of downtown. To complete the race, runners ran the same loop two times.

I felt pretty good and set a PR of 52:32. Still awaiting the official results, but I'm very happy with the time.

I'm also thinking about doing another 10k race this weekend in Moab, Utah. I'm a bit under the weather with a little cold right now. So, as long as this doesn't get worse I'm going to do the run, that will be my last chance to race before running in PF Changes Half Marathon in Jan.

I'd also like to thank the guys at Movin Shoes in Del Mar for taking the time and care needed to help me find a new pair of running shoes. It's a great store with great staff just north of Del Mar. Check out their website: http://www.movinshoes.com/

Have you seen my Nike+?

Ok, so for any of you who know me well, you know that I'm dang near ADDICTED to running with my nike+ for my ipod. I don't like running even a single MILE without it. Well for the last week or so, my nike+ was missing. I looked high and low, EVERYWHERE, and could not find this thing. It was killing me because a) it really helps me track how much I need to be running in comparison to what I am running and where I'm falling short or going too far and b) these runs are long and I want to build my runner's street cred in the nike online community... hehehe. That's not a lie. I print out every award I get from Nike, its kind of pathetic, but kind of fun for me. Yes, I'm a nerd.

Well, good news, the nike+ is back. Today I found it hiding in between two magazines on my nightstand. Shocking, I know. I'm a complete magazine fiend and I have about 20 subscriptions. So thank god and jesus because I am back in business and logging my runs again. I'm not going to lie though, I wish I could figure out how to add my mileage from last week. I know that's a little anal and weird, but I'm very upset that I won't get credit for them! GRRR!

Soooo anyways, today's assignment is a six mile run. I'll let you know how I do because I'm about to go complete it right now!

xo, c

ps, I'll be doing a length posting later about goal-setting. I've been working on it forever and its finally finished! whoohoo!

1 week to 10k

In one week I'm off to sunny San Diego. I cannot wait. It will be a nice weekend to relax with my beau and his family and soak up some warm weather. Oh wait I forgot one little thing, the 10k. I think I am ready, well as ready as I am going to be. I'm sure I could have trained harder over the past couple of weeks. I'm counting on the motivational bloody Mary's Maui Jim is promising to have waiting at the finish line to compensate for any lack of training. We'll see!

For about 5 days I was able to get up and run in the morning. Well, that didn't really last. But, the good news is that I have still been getting my runs in, just back to running in the evenings. I don't get it! I feel awesome after a morning run. For the most part the house is quiet, and I'm not distracted. So, why can't I get my lazy butt out of bed and do it? I don't know. I may never know.

I did my long run on Monday evening (5 miles). After about 45 min my ipod said that I completed 8k. I'm thinking YEAH RIGHT! I know my endurance and speed are building, but come on! I did not have the treadmill mileage to compare to because mid run as I was shooing the dogs out of the room (they just sit there and stare at me with this look in their eyes, like why can't you take us for a run too?) I hit the key and stopped my workout and had to restart the treadmill. Anyway, i recalibrated my ipod and should be good to go for my last 7 days of training. I'm planning to mix up the program a bit so I properly taper for the race next Thursday as follows:
Wednesday: 2 miles
Thursday: 4 miles
Friday: 3.12 miles
Saturday: Yoga/6 miles
Sunday: 4 miles
Monday: 3.12 miles
Tuesday: 2 miles
Wednesday: Rest and CARB LOAD! (just kidding, looking for an excuse to eat some awesome pasta in San Diego)
Thursday: Race day

I also want to talk about how much yoga as helped in my training, and how much I'm missing my regular Monday class now that I'm working on Monday's again and how this all ties into why I'm sleeping with my arms over my head...but I actually have to do some work! So, check back in tomorrow!

I LOVE TO INTERVIEW TOO!

I too love going on job interviews. My most recent was for my current position. I had to travel to Denver, and I met with all three partners in the firm. The interview was almost 3 hours and it was rapid fire the entire time. I loved every single second of it. During the open house for the branch office of the firm I'm working for one of the partners says to me as I'm standing next to Sleeping Giant, " You gave one hell of an interview!" Sleeping Giant says to him, "Yeah she just loves to interview." Hey thanks for throwing me under the bus! Anyway...

I think Christine makes a great point about making time to fit a run into your day. It's going to be hard when you start working again, the stress increases and your time is no longer unlimited. But, I think this is the time when running helps the most. I first got hooked on running because I needed something, besides drugs/booze, to help me deal with the stress of law school at night and a full time job.

There is simply no better remedy for stress than putting on that ipod and getting into the running zone. I'm not talking about the runners high. I'm just talking about that zone that, for me comes about 7 min. into my run. My mind disconnects from my body and it's effortless. At that point, I'm able to put aside everything that is weighing on my mind, and I physically feel lighter on my feet and I can just run...run...run....

If I had not figured this out during law school, I don't know if I ever would have slept. I think it's important for both your mind and body to be tired at the end of the day. So, on that note, Christine I'm so proud of you for getting into running. You inspire me daily. I cannot wait to cross the finish line with you in Phoenix on January 18th.

Who loves job interviews?! ME!!!

I have a job interview on Monday. You have no idea how excited I am about this. I probably won't sleep until Monday night. I am THAT pumped!!!! To make a very long story short, I was laidoff from my pharmaceutical sales job at Pfizer earlier this year. This was a huge devastating blow to my ego, but on the flipside, I suddenly had a ton of time on my hands and nothing to do with it. That's what brings me to running... As hard as it was to lose my job and literally be an emotional wreck all day everyday wondering what the heck I was going to do with my time/career/crazy 2 year old child/etc, I found a new love... running.

Here I am, first day of unemployment, literally waking up thinking to myself, "Wow, today is a new day, I guess." So I bought a used treadmill from my neighbors who were moving and laced up the Nike Shox and went for my first "run." If you even want to call it that. It was more like a pathetic first day attempt at the Hal Higdon 30 day plan. 30 SECONDS of running followed by 30 SECONDS of walking 30 TIMES for 30 DAYS. Day number one and I thought I was going to die. As my favorite fashionista Rachel Zoe likes to say "I die." And I almost did. But I made a promise to myself that I was going to finish those 30 days if it killed me. And I did. I finished. Everyday while Addy (my daughter) would nap, I would do my 30 minutes on the treadmill and by the end of the 30 days, I was running the entire time aside from a short warm-up and cool-down. Every time I'd try to come up with a reason why I should skip my run, I'd literally stare at myself in the mirror and say "You have nothing better to do, your child is sleeping and you don't have a job, don't be pathetic, DO THIS! No excuses!" And the rest is history.

Which brings me to today. When I got the email that I was going to be interviewing, it was almost a little bittersweet! As excited as I am to get back out there and possibly start something new (crossing my fingers and toes), I still remember what brought me here... LOSING my job. I would have never started running had I not been so out of my element, home all day, down on myself, and ready for a change! If there's a silver lining in any story, you can count on me to find it!

Here's where I say thank-you to everyone who has been there for me through this awesome journey. Thanks....

• Fleet Feet Sports running group for being there every Wednesday night and Saturday morning for those fun "long runs" (which now seem like short runs...).
• All of my friends who are runners and have given such great advice, support and encouragement along the way. I mean it when I say I never would've had the motivation without the kind words!
• My Dad who has encouraged me and challenged me every step of the way! By challenge, I actually mean going to races with me, smoking me, and waiting for me at the finish line! Dad, I get it. You're not a bad runner for 62. You're not even a bad runner for 42. But cool it on the ridiculous pre-race stretching routine. This isn't the Olympics. Enough is enough. ;)
• Addy, my adorable sweet daughter, for sleeping extra long on days when I wanted to run and do pilates. Or run and watch Oprah. Usually the latter. (On a side note: Addy no longer naps. She took her last nap just after she turned 2... really Addy, really?)
• Les... well babygirl, I don't want to tear up, so I'm gonna leave this pretty generic. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being so extremely supportive and my rock throughout all of life's little adventures and for being the best running buddy (cross-country running buddy at that!) a girl could ever ask for! You're amazing and I am so lucky to have you in my life! I knew I would tear up! UGHHH! My wrinkle cream is totally running down my face now!

And finally, thank you Pfizer, my attitude needed the wake-up call and my busy schedule needed the extra time to develop a running routine. And even though I lost my job, I gained a whole lotta confidence.

When life hands you a whole big bunch of lemons, make some dang lemonade! (and if you're up for up, throw in a splash of vodka... if you're 21 ;)

xo, c

17 days til 10ks

17 days from today is the "10k Run for the Hungry" in Sannnn Diego. I have been keeping to the training program for the most part. For those of you who are just starting to follow the blog, Christine, my dad, and I are all following Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training Program. We are just starting week 4, average weekly runs are at 3.5 miles and the long runs are now at 5 miles.

As I mentioned last week, with my new job I'm having a hard time committing to my after-work runs, so today was my first morning run. Things got off to a good start, I actually got out of bed at 6:00 when my alarm sounded. I tip-toed out of the room, careful not to wake the sleeping giant or the dogs...success. I laced up my shoes and picked the sleepies from my eyes, Ipod on and I'm ready. I step on the treadmill and press start. BOOM. I blew the fuse...again. I go into the garage and flip the fuse switch, and go back upstairs. No luck, back down again, I'm sure I can figure this out without waking anyone up. Back downstairs. Flip. Back upstairs. DAMMMNNNNIITTT. Still no luck, the dogs are now up and wondering who is making all the noise. Now the part I'm dreading, waking the sleeping giant, I assured him the night before that he wouldn't hear a thing if I got up early to run.

Back downstairs. I observe as he flips the same switch, in the exact same way I did (TWICE). Yes, back in business. Only 35 min. left for the run. I felt good, and what felt better was getting to work and crossing off my workout for the day, before my day really even got started. Here is to hoping that tomorrow goes a bit more smoothly.

L

Second Attempt

I tried to write this blog yesterday, but it would not post, so here it is again...

First of all, we are in the process of setting up our own website. Once the website is setup, we will transfer the blog to the website. Additionally, we will provide other new areas for reader interaction.

I wanted to focus on and write for those of us using running as our main form of cardio for weight loss. This was my plan, but I could not figure out why after 3 weeks of sticking to the half marathon training program I was not dropping any weight. Well, after doing some research I found a couple of articles to share with those of you also struggling with this...enjoy. http://www.therunnersguide.com/loseweightrunning/

http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Running_for_weight_loss__Prepare_to_be_patient.htm

Update on our girl Jenny!

Jenny Crain moved out of Mt. Carmel rehab center! What an amazing day for her! Read about it by clicking the link below.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/68792107.html

Top Ten Things I Love (for running)!

There are ten things (probably more!) that I absolutely loooooove for running. Since I was so out of commission last week, I figured I'd take some time and create this little list and include some pictures (now that I'm such a pro at this!). Here you go:

10. Nike+ system for your ipod

9. Shoe Pouch for ipod sensor

8. Brooks Adrenaline running shoes

7. CLIF Shot Bloks in Black Cherry
6. Patellar Tendon Strap by PRO-Tec

5. Precor treadmill

4. vitamin water 10

3. lululemon Groove Pants

2. Under Armour running shorts

1. my bestie (no pic necessary :)