April 28th, 2010 - 10 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

I knew tonight’s run was going to be a long one. I had been psyching myself up for it all day. It had to be a well executed run because I really felt like I injured myself after the last one. It felt good at the time, but the next day I was having some serious Achilles Tendon issues in my left leg. I don’t know if it was because I had adjusted my foot fall and been too hard on my heels when I went to plant them or if it was because I didn’t stretch afterward. If I haven’t already told you, I really hate stretching. Hate it. I rarely do it. If I were advising people, I would tell them to always be sure to stretch. Stretch during a long run, at about mile 7, after the run and do a serious stretching session on rest days. But I never do.

I did this run 4 minutes on and 1 minute off, as usual, and I knew I had to take it really easy. I’d just read the site for the Disneyland Half Marathon in September and it said that all the runners had to maintain at least a 16-minute mile pace. Typically, I would never worry about that. Even when I’m running a fever, I maintain a 12-minute pace, but now that I knew it was required, it was really stressin’ me out.

So mile 1 was as usual, just terrible. I decided that I would keep Country music on the iPod. I love the country music that I have but I wouldn’t call myself Country music fan. I am however a HUGE sucker for Patriotic Music and that ends up being Country Music more often than not. But I digress.

Let’s skip to Mile 5. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…. Really. I’m going delirious so I take some GU and wait for it to kick it. It'some horrible citrus flavor that I can barely get down. I bought it when I was trying to find a favorite. I'll be sticking with Chocolate Outrage from now on.

Mile 7 is feeling pretty good and there is a slight decline so I am picking up some serious speed. I pass a lady like she’s standing still. I'm feeling good.

At mile 9, I know that I am a half mile from home. I'm exhausted and I have absolutely hit the wall but I need to figure out how to add an extra half mile to the run so I can get an even 10. Crap!

So I turn the corner and start up the street toward the school instead of crossing the street and heading toward home. Home!

I don't even remember what I did when I got home and I still can't find my Pepper Spray. The kids were still awake and I am so happy about that. I can't wait to give them hugs and kisses, but I can't because I am disgusting. I need to shower. So I keep them at arm's length and pray with them and listen to their day. I'm barely paying attention. Ten miles takes me to my limit and I am barely functioning. But I love these little people and they give me strength.

Now where the heck is my Pepper Spray? I gotta find it before one of the kids does. Zzzzzz........

April 26, 2010 - 3.5 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

Tonight's run was really good. I asked Chris to drop me off in the middle of town so I could run home. It was strange because I really felt like I was pushing and pushing, but when I checked my time at the mile mark, it was 12:35! What?! There is no way. I was doing at least a 9 minute mile. My stop watch had never lied to me before, so I gotta tell you, I felt pretty betrayed.

So I ignored the stop watch for the rest of the run and just focused on my heart rate. I was at 95% for most of the time. So it was a sprint. Screw the stop watch!!!

Mile one was rough, as usual. For a minute, I really wondered why I was doing this. I didn't really catch my stride until 1.75 miles which is late for me. Maybe it was because I didn't have Sarah with me. It was just me and Michael Jackson. Don't stop 'til you get enough!!!

Mile 2 was my mile. I was making great time (I'm assuming. I wasn't on speaking terms with my stop watch if you'll recall) and my stride was just what it should have been. My form was good and my speed work was right where it should be. It was a good Interval Training session. Certainly no where near qualifying for Boston, but that's never been on my Bucket List anyway.

By the time I was pushing mile three, Micheal is singing in my ear, "Will You Be There" and that is a great piece for a warm down. I'm feeling good and the run is almost done. Sweet!

As I turn the corner into my neighborhood, I run into Jim sitting on his porch with his dog. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Your workout is sacred and unless you're bleeding from your eyeballs or a train is bearing down on you, you don't let anything interrupt you!" I know. I get it. I feel the same way. Really. But Jim is super cool and his dog Chelsea is 14+ years old and she's been circing the drain for a while now. He's going to be a mess when that dog dies and I really felt like the investment in the relationship was worth my dropping heart rate. So I stopped and had a lovely exchange with my neighbor and his dog. I believe it's what Jesus would have done. Ah well, once again, my warm down was interrupted by the humanity around me.

So I walk a few doors down to my house and I am almost completely recovered. Still sweating like a horse, but I'm not wheezing like a sleestak like I would be if I had sprinted all the way to my doorstep like I'd intended to. Chris is fighting with Jordan to get his homework done, Jayda is sitting on a floor having an animated conversation with her new shoes and Sarah is whining and jumping all over the place because she thinks we're going for a run.

This is my life. This my Happy Place. I smile and wonder what was beating in my chest when I was reaching my peak speed a few minutes ago because clearly, my heart was here.

See ya tomorrow!

April 22, 2010 - 6.5 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

Tonight, I was able to take advantage of a very rare opportunity: An empty house. When I got home from work, the kids hadn’t made it back from California Adventure and Chris was staying late at the office before he had to run off to church.

With this bit of unexpected fortuity, of course, I decide to get in a quick run. I knew I had about an hour and a half, so I figured I could get in 6.5 miles with no trouble, so I set out. I had recently read an article that listed 100 Beginner Running Tips. I wouldn’t be considered a Beginner Runner, but I am hardly advanced, so I find that I can be well advised by just about anything that has to do with running. One of the tips was something like: If you usually run with music, try it without music. I strapped on my iPod and plugged in my ear buds but decided to run only the first half without music.

I thought I would be insanely bored, but to my surprise, I was able to focus more on the run and what my body was doing without the distraction of the music. Without the music, I realized that the people who passed me on the street were actually saying things to me and even shouting encouragement I couldn’t hear before. I was even aware that Sarah does a LOT of whining when we’re running and I had no idea! Every time she heard or saw another dog, she would whine because she wanted to play, I guess.

I was able to focus on my breathing pattern and cover distance more efficiently when I was able to listen to the music of my breathing, foot falls and arm movements. I was able to transition in the Zen phase of running much sooner than when I run with music. I actually had no desire to turn the music on at the halfway point and went ahead and finished the run in the loudest silence I’d ever heard. I could understand how many runners say their imaginative juices really flow during a run.

I will likely continue to use music on most of my workouts, but that was really good advice and I’m sure I will forgo the music from time to time going forward, especially when I’m running a new course.

I also had the privilege of breaking in my new Asics!!!! They were great!!! I used the Fartlek Method like I always do when I’m running more than 5 miles (4 minutes on, 1 minute off). The last half was a sprint and it felt wonderful! No pain in my knees, hips or lower back at the end of this run, which I’d thought was just par for the course, part of getting older. Turns out I was just in the wrong shoes. Go figure.

I made it home in time to run through the shower, start dinner (no one else was there, so I just had veggies and water: mashed sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli. No meat. It was *really* good!), and stretch while I watched Jeopardy before Neena & Papa got back with my beautiful babies, who I’d missed so much it hurt. Jordan rang the doorbell. When I opened the door, he walked right by me and complained that the house smelled like poop. I told him it wasn’t poop, it was broccoli and “where’s my hug?!” Then he ran at me with a bone-crusher and was full of stories about all the roller-coasters he’d ridden. Then I went to get my baby girl out of the car. The hugs still come from Jayda without requesting.

*sigh* This is makes it all worth it. They had a great time with their grandparents. I got to get in a really good run, in great time. Neena & Papa had a great time but were happy to give ‘em back. I kept the kids up until Chris got home and more whoops, kissing and hugging ensued. Jordan actually cried, he missed his Daddy so much.

My heart is warm warm warm. See ya tomorrow!

April 21, 2010 - New Shoes!!!

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

Today was supposed to be a running day. Couldn’t do it, though. We had to take the kids to their grandparents so they could go to California Adventure tomorrow. But that’s not to say that today was a not a day that improved my running prowess. I am excited to say that I was able to procure a pair of Asics! You know, the line the pros wear? They were $39 at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Moorpark. I never thought I’d ever have a pair of Asics. Top of the line pairs are well over $100. The ones I have are the very basic type: Asics Gel Strike-2. Mine are pink, of course.

I haven’t been able to break them in yet, but I can’t wait. I was in Adidas before and they were OK, but they didn’t seem to support my arches as well as the Nike’s Women’s Runners I had before. They got pretty good reviews.

I’ll keep you posted and let you know how I like them.

April 19, 2010 - 3.75 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

Tonight's run was great. The first mile was as usual... Just terrible. I seem to keep forgetting that I am getting older and not taking pain medication before I get started. So I am hurtin' for real right now.

There was something really strange about the start of the run. Even Sarah didn't seem to want to be out there and that is very unusual. She's usually my strength when I don't want to keep going, but she was lagging and crossing me. Quite a few times, I had to stop before I tripped over her. I considered tying her to a tree and coming back to get her later. (I'm kidding. I could never leave my Girl!)

At about mile 2, I hit my stride. The Jackson's were blaring in my ear asking "Can You Feel It!" Yes, Michael, I can feel it! So I pick up those knees and increase my stride. Even Sarah is getting with the program and running to my right and slightly behind. It was perfect! I knew I would be hurting when I got home, but it didn't matter then because the endorphins were doing their job. I'm not even bothered that the Sausage-less Sausage that I pan fried to go with tonight's spaghetti and mushrooms is repeating on me like a bad BAD yeast infection. I feel good!

At the start of mile 3, I hit one of my last street lights and I am holding everyone in sight personally responsible for my dropping heart rate. I'm staring them down like a pervert at a beauty pageant and in my mind, they are trembling in fear!!!

At the home stretch, I am fighting toward my house and I'm thinking it's going to be the perfect end to a pretty good run and set my focus on my garage door and sprint toward it with reckless abandon. Then a neighbor shows up with some worthless, rodent-like, pathetic excuse for a dog and Sarah bolts for it, splitting my focus and breaking my stride. Stool!

So, I call her back to my side and get her back in stride and race toward my house. My temporary fantasy world is shattered. My world where I am champion, the strongest athlete and only my opinion matters. I get to listen to my own music for as long as I want and I don't have to consider anyone else because I am running! I am free, I am fearless and I am sexy as hell!

Here, within these walls, my family needs me. They don't care that I'm sweaty, exhausted and clearly in pain. They need kisses and hair bows and to have their homework checked. They need baths and prayers and they need someone to listen to what happened at school today because I am a Mommy! I am well loved, I am all-knowing.... and I am sexy as hell!

It's not a bad gig! See ya tomorrow.

April 19, 2010 - Forgive Me, For I Have Sinned....

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

It's Monday morning and I have a sin to confess to you, my partners in sweat: I did not run at all this weekend. Not one step. I could beat myself up over it or I could rejoice in the fact that I got some premium, spontaneous sex this weekend. One of the many perks of marrying a younger man.

So what now?! Well, I replay the compliments I got from my hairdresser about how my efforts are "showing in my face", keep a mental snapshot of how great I looked in that suit at the BGC Fund Raiser and get my butt moving again!

Truth is, it felt good to take this very undeserved break. I spoke with a neighbor on Sunday and complimented her on her efforts. She was looking fantastic! I asked her what she'd been doing and she told me the she'd completely cut out carbs for herself and her family and it was going well. She'd lost 65 lbs and her family was on board with the lifestyle change too!

Well good for her! There is just no way in Heaven or Hell that I could get my family to cut out carbs completely. She's also been going to the gym everyday. Sometimes twice. Also, good for her! She gets to be home full time and her children are young adults. My lifestyle doesn't support that kind of thing. And if you are sensing my extreme jealousy, you are not wrong. I'd love it if I could spend more time at home and have a more flexible schedule. But the fact is, I don't. And if I did, I would likely be very hard on myself if I wasn't a model housekeeper, cook and ornamental horticulturist. As it is, my busy schedule makes it so that I can slack off periodically without a whole lot of back lash. Also, if I'm honest, I have to point out that I think her current situation is not sustainable. It certainly wouldn't be for me. With such young children, the cupcakes and icecream cones just follow me around and I can only run so fast, as you well know.

Anyway, she told me that while she takes many classes and is doing her own version of weight training, she doesn't run as much as she'd like to. I offered to knock on her door when I'm doing my standard workout and I hope she'll join me from time to time. I do prefer to workout alone, but a friend is never a bad thing. There's the blessing. So let's get back at it.

April 14, 2010 - 3.65 Mile Run

The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”

Here's a pic of me and my girl Sarah. She had to go to the vet yesterday to have a foxtail seed extracted from her nasal cavity. It was pretty insane and incredibly expensive *sigh*. She was pretty groggy last night, but tonight she was revving to go. She's sweet.

Tonight's workout was pretty run of the mill, excuse the pun. The last half was a sprint. It felt good. I came home and stretched, showered and made dinner: BBQ Chicken Wings, steamed broccoli and white rice (I know... white rice. Jeez! I know better). All in all a good day and a decent workout.

I believe I am completely recovered from Sunday's run. That is well because I wasn't sure how long it would take to work that through. I am seriously considering adding a *very* little weight training to my workout. I have hand weights (2, 5 & 10 lbs) and I would like to get a 65cm exercise ball. That way, I can work in some core exercises and use it as a workout bench for the hand weights. I will post pix of my progress, no matter how slow going it may be.

I am expecting a good night's sleep and a productive day tomorrow. Praise GOD for His goodness and He grace.