Rookie on the Run

At a Loss for Words

2010-03-07T21:21:00.000-08:00

Hi, Running Blogger Friends.

As I mentioned in my last post, it's been a tough week here in San Diego County. I'm afraid it just got worse... today it was announced that the remains of Amber Dubois have been found. Authorities aren't saying where the lead came from at this time... but somehow, they got information regarding where Amber's body could be found. Dental records confirmed that the remains are Amber's.

I know I'll have more to say after this horrific news has had a chance to settle a bit. But for now, please keep Amber's family, friends, and community in your prayers.

For more information:
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local-beat/Major-Development-in-Amber-Dubois-Case-Sources-86763297.html

A Young Life, Cut Short

2010-03-03T23:16:00.000-08:00

I have been pretty quiet out here in BloggerLand lately. I apologize for missing so many of your blogs posts... I really do enjoy reading about each of my Running Blogger Friends lives.

It's been a tough week for those of us in the San Diego and LA areas. The disappearance of Chelsea King, the arrest of yet another out-of-prison sex offender, and the discovery of Chelsea's body has left many of us a bit shell-shocked.

I know people all over the country are heart-broken by Chelsea's tragic death. When it hits so close to home and with the disappearance of Amber Dubois still fresh in our hearts, this week has been an emotionally draining one. I cannot even come close to understanding what the parents of these girls have been going through. I don't ever want to know how someone deals with the loss of a child... especially in such a violent way.

Was the man arrested in the Chelsea King case the same man who is responsible for the disappearance of Amber Dubois? For Amber's sake, I hope not. Considering the fact that this monster had an address less than five miles away from where Amber went missing and the similarities of the victims, I can't help but think she and Chelsea met the same fate. Again, I hope and pray this is not the case. I do pray for closure for Amber's family, no matter what the truth may be.

I love Lake Hodges and the surrounding trails (where the gift of Chelsea was taken from the world) but I know I will never be able to run or hike in the area again without thinking of what happened to this beautiful girl. Just as I can't run through my neighborhood without wondering where Amber is and looking for any sign of her.

There are wild California Poppies that grow around the Lake Hodges area. They are dainty, yet strong. They are beautiful, and free. They seem to dance with the wind as it blows past their happy, orange petals. I have learned that orange was Chelsea's favorite color so I like to think that she appreciated the simple beauty of these special wild flowers as she ran past them on her long runs out at the trails. She reminds me of the California Poppy. And the California Poppy will always remind me of her. I know that sounds corny since I've never met her... but the link has been made in my mind and that's OK with me.

Rest in peace, Chelsea King. You had your whole future ahead of you and it was a bright one. I pray that the light you blessed others with will continue to shine. I pray for justice. I pray for change. I pray for your loving, amazing family. You will never be forgotten.

Update: Arrest Made in the Chelsea King Case

2010-02-28T21:09:00.000-08:00

http://www.10news.com/news/22678790/detail.html

Another Missing Girl

2010-02-26T22:15:00.000-08:00

On February 13th, I posted a blog about the missing girl from my neighborhood named Amber Dubois. Many of my blogger friends expressed concerns and prayers for her safe return.

Now there is another girl missing. This girl is from a town a few miles to the south of Escondido. Her name is Chelsea King- a senior in high school and cross country team member. Her plan was to do a long run along the trails in the Lake Hodges area. She hasn't been seen since Thursday afternoon. She was out running in the middle of the day!

This has been on my heart all day. Not only is another lovely teenage girl missing, she is missing from an area I have run several times, myself. I have so many emotions brewing... sadness for her family, anger, and helplessness.

I have run those trails. I often run them alone. Not anymore. The police found her parked car at a local park, which is near the start of the trails. Her car was locked and still held her wallet, street clothes, and cell phone.

I don't know why she didn't take her cell phone on her run... perhaps because some of the area has no reception. Maybe she had nowhere to comfortably put it. Maybe she felt safe enough. It doesn't really matter, now. Personally, I don't think a cell phone would be helpful if she was abducted. I carry mine in case I fall and hurt myself, not because it makes me feel safer from predators.

I mention abduction, but I pray that isn't what happened to her.

My running group was supposed to do a trail run in the area tomorrow. It has been moved to another location out of respect to the family and in order to not interfere with searches. My group is also hoping to assist in the search, if they need volunteers. I have an appointment tomorrow but I'm hoping I will be able to join the group of volunteers later in the day.

Please, pray for Chelsea. Pray that she gets home safely.

Here is the link to the story, if you'd like to read it:

Missing Poway Teen

Fuzzy Mummy Feet

2010-02-24T23:17:00.000-08:00

Yes, there is hope for my heel... for a healed heel. That's how I feel after seeing the podiatrist.

Did the massive mummy taping help? I think so. No, it was not a miracle cure. My heel and ankle still hurt no matter what activity I was doing. The fact that the tape on my left (and bad) foot felt way too tight didn't help. I think I felt more pain from my skin pulling against adhesive than I do in my heel. Seriously. There were times when the skin on the bottom of my feet felt like it was on fire.

So, why the hope? Doctor Bland left me feeling that I could do something to fix my plantar fasciitis. He spoke of stretching, night splints, and the possibility of orthotics. He did not tell me to toss my running shoes and get a bike. He did not tell me to give swimming a try. He did not mention surgery... or giving up on running.

I was so encouraged by this! I've been wearing my night splint... even though it's very uncomfortable. I've been stretching and using The Stick to loosen up my calf muscle. I endured the taped feet as long as I could. And it has all helped. Am I pain-free? No. Do I feel more mobility in that foot? Yes.

I have hope.

Ahhhh... Sweet, Fuzzy Freedom!
I took my mummy feet off this afternoon. I was supposed to keep the tape on for three days but I just could not do it. My skin hurt too much. It felt like I had shoes on that were two sizes too small. The tape also got dirty very quickly. Combine sticky foot tape with a long-haired cat and carpet, and what do you get? Little kittens. On your feet. Furry kitten feet. It's enough to make me wonder if I should shave my cat. I had no idea how much she sheds!

What Next?
I have an appointment with Dr. Drained-of-all-Personality on Monday to evaluate whether or not I felt the tape helped. I'm still unsure as to what to say. I am so tired of spending money of "fixes" that don't work. The last thing I want to do is spend a couple hundred bucks for a pair of orthotics that do not work. As of right now, I'm leaning toward trying the orthotics. We'll see how I feel about them by Monday.

Answers
To answer a few questions some of you asked on my last post...

Regarding the Barefoot / Vibram Five Fingers running, Dr. Blah was not impressed. I did not expect him to be. He said that barefoot running was good... back when people only lived to the age of 35 (which was the most humorous thing the man said the whole time). He makes a small point but I'm not sold either way.
Sorry... no picture of my mummified feet. I didn't want to horrify all of you out in Bloggy Land. But if you have read my blog for any length of time, you know that I don't let the lack of a photograph stop me from making a visual point.

Behold, my latest masterpiece:

More Running to Come
I am already planning to run tomorrow. And I plan to join my running group on Saturday. I can't wait!!

Gratitude
As always, thank you Running Blogger Friends, for the encouraging words and well-wishes!! I appreciate you all so much!

Mummy Feet and the Case of the Missing Personality

2010-02-23T23:30:00.000-08:00

No... you didn't stumble upon Nancy Drew's personal blog. I'm sure her blog would be much more interesting than mine. After all, when you have a hunky boyfriend like Ned Nickerson and far-out, flippy hair, you've got to have a great blog!

On Monday I went to my podiatrist. If I had to base my final impression solely on the office, the staff, and the doctor's personality I would warn you to run far, far away from Dr. Hutchinson and don't look back. Fortunately, the blandness of the office, the less-than-friendly office staff, and the doctor's (lack of) personality was not all there was to my visit.

Let me get this out of the way because it just has to be told... I have had pet-rocks with way more personality than Dr. Hutchinson. I'm not exaggerating... pet-rocks at least have facial expressions. Sure, their expressions never change (unless you are prone to hallucinations) but they have them. Dr. H. did not smile the whole time I was with him. He was as bland as white rice boiled too long in tap water.

See? Pet rocks have personality!

Even his two office staff assistants had no personality. The receptionist/assistant almost broke a smile when my sweet, little five year old flashed his sparkly, baby blues her way. Most people melt when he grins. The receptionist was young and had gorgeous long hair. If I had hair like that, I would smile all the time... especially when an adorable five year old boy flirted with me.

It was as if a creature from outer space came down and sucked out all the personality from the office. It was almost surreal. I tried to keep an open mind, though. I was already there and I wasn't going to walk out of the office at that point. I kept telling myself that having a winning personality is not a requirement to being a good doctor.

For all his blandness, I have to say that Dr. H. was very thorough. He spent a lot of time asking questions, checking out my feet, watching me walk up and down the hallway, and taking notes of everything. In all, he spent about an hour with me. I've never had that experience with a doctor before. After his non-smiling interview and examination, Dr. H. informed me that I have plantar fasciitis (I knew that), that I have high arches (suspected that), and explained how I roll my feet when I run (not good) .

He explained that my pain may be relieved with the use of orthotics... but not necessarily. He wanted to tape my feet to see if the additional support would be beneficial. If it is, there would be a good chance that orthotics would help. And tape my feet, he did! As I write this, both of my feet are bound with some serious tapeage. He wants me to wear the tape for three days. He told me to keep it on while I work and while doing my normal activities. He also told me to... ready for this? He told me to...

**RUN!**

That's right! He told me to run! That way I would know if the tape helped during my running. Being one to follow the doctor's orders (mmm-hmmm), I ran two miles today. It was so nice to be back on the street. With my feet. My taped feet. My stiff, mummified, aching from too much adhesive, taped feet. And it was so much fun! Was it pain-free? Well, you'll have to wait for that. I really have to get my butt to bed.

Good night, everyone! Have an amazingly wonderful Wednesday!

Sunshine and Three Things Thursday

2010-02-18T23:09:00.000-08:00

I received a Sunshine Blog Award from Irene over at Magazine Smiles. Now, I get to pass it on to someone else! If you get tagged, here are the rules:

Put the logo on your blog or within your post (right click and save). Pass the award onto 12 bloggers, then link the nominees within your post. Finally, let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

So, here we go... I tag:

Laura at My Reason to Run: Check out Laura's blog... you will see why she runs and understand the reason why I admire this mom's strength and drive!
Jen at Setting You Free: I love how real and down-to-earth Jen is! She has made incredible changes in her lifestyle and lost lots of weight. She is a runner and an inspiration! Take a look... I'm sure you'll agree.
Jaime at Jaime learns to Run: Do you ever feel like you would hit it off when someone... even though you've never met? Well, I think Jaime would be one of those people! I appreciate her openness on her blog.
April at Mommy's Fit for the King: I just like her! Her smile reminds me of sunshine. She also scored a Running Skirt for $11 on eBay... obviously, she is smart, too. :)

And now, I'm breaking the rules and I'm stopping at four bloggers instead of 12. Why? Because I'm rebellious like that. I mean, are the Sunshine Award cops going to come knock on my door and arrest me for only tagging four people? I don't think so.

I do NOT fear the Sunshine Cops.

Three Things Thursday

I have an appointment to see a podiatrist on Monday. I chose my doctor based on three things... 1) He is a former endurance runner; 2) He had an opening relatively soon; and 3) He is under my insurance plan. I like that he will be able to relate to the runner's need to run. I don't like that he used to be a runner. Why did he stop? Does he still run short distances? Or did he give up on running due to injuries and now he considers it his calling to stop people from running? I'll let you know how it goes.
I spent the afternoon helping my 2nd grade son put together a family tree for a class project. It's the first time I've ever had to explain divorce to my kids (my parents are divorced and my kids don't know my real mom). It was sort of bittersweet explaining the concept of divorce to my boys. Sweet in that they are so innocent when it comes to the realities of the world. Bitter in that I had to break some of that innocence by explaining the realities of the world.
I'm thinking about getting another tattoo... yes, I already have one of a hummingbird and some flowers between my shoulder blades. Now, I think I want one on my foot. I want this one to symbolize my life and my running. I'm thinking a pretty compass would be nice. It would symbolize having direction and a purpose (from God), that I'll never get lost in this life because of His guidance, and of all possibilities one can find in life. As an added bonus, having a compass would mean I would never get lost on my runs again!

Do you have any tattoos? If so, what are they? What do they mean to you?

*The meaning of my current tattoo: Hummingbirds are small and beautiful but very brave and very tough. They will take on much bigger birds in order to protect themselves and their babies. The flowers on my back are done in the colors of my boys' birthstones. There is a third flower... a bud. That was put there to balance out the tattoo and I left the color up to the artist. I consider it my flower for the third child I wish I could have had.

And with that, I'm signing off! Happy Friday, everyone! I'm going to spend the weekend at a scrapbooking getaway (a.k.a. time with the girls having fun... and maybe getting some scrapbooking done in the process). I will try to get caught up on the blogs I haven't read in a while, too!

Short, Little Post

2010-02-17T00:06:00.000-08:00

I have decided to see a podiatrist. I don't want to... but I think it's time. My foot actually feels worse the past few days and I haven't been running in over a week.

San Diego bloggers, do you have any recommendations? If you know someone good, maybe I'll get lucky and the name will be on my insurance's pre-approved list.

I made it to the gym tonight, after about a week of no exercise & eating poorly. It felt great to go work out my muscles. It also felt great to put good, healthy food into my body today. I'm going to get back on track with my diet. I went grocery shopping and got lots of organic fruits and veggies. Yay!

Well, that's all! Short, little post... just like the title says.

Have a wonderful day & take care!

Missing Amber

2010-02-13T23:23:00.000-08:00

I see her face everyday... and yet, no one has seen her in a year.

I look for her when I'm driving through town.

I search and wonder about her while I'm running.

I pray for her daily.

I've never met her but I miss her.

My heart breaks for her family.

I'm talking about Amber Dubois.

You may have seen her story on
America's Most Wanted,
the National News,
or in People Magazine.
A year ago today, somebody took someone's little girl
right off the street.

A year ago today, somebody took one of our neighborhood girls

right off of the same street where I often run.

I didn't run that morning

but I sometimes wonder if I would have seen something

if I had.

So close to home.

Her missing fliers are posted on almost every pole in the neighborhood,

keeping her in our mind's eye

and in our hearts.

Dear God, please perform a miracle and bring Amber home safely

to her parents, family, and friends.

Feeling Good!

2010-02-12T22:27:00.000-08:00

I feel good! My foot doesn't seem any worse off from my half marathon last weekend. It's not necessarily better... it's just not worse.

I've decided to take a couple weeks off and try to give all ol' lefty a break. On my last post, some of you asked what is wrong with my foot. Well, basically it's plantar fasciitis but the pain seems to have traveled up to the outside and back of my ankle. I like when pain travels... it gives me hope that no one spot is injured too badly.

It's funny because during my half marathon, I was practically swearing off of racing and running ever again. This week, I'm already missing it and wondering which race I should do next. There is a 7K trail race in March that looks fun. I'm going to check it out.

Anyway, enough about me. I'm off to try to catch up on some of your blogs! I've been skimming them but haven't been able to comment and follow-up as much as I'd like.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

My Apologies to Miley Cyrus

2010-02-08T23:32:00.000-08:00

Here it is. This is a Mile-by-Mile race report of my first half marathon. I figured it would be best to share the thoughts I had along the way... that way you get to see the real me. The real me that comes out while I run.

Mile 0-1: Ugh! My legs are tired. Don't think about it... they'll perk up soon.

Mile 1-3: OK... my legs feel pretty good. My foot feels pretty good. I'm feeling pretty good. I can do this! No problem.

Mile 3-4: I'm maintaining pretty good pace (about 13:30/mile... which for me is a nice, easy, long-term pace). I kind of have to use the restroom. I'll stop at the next port 'a potty.

Mile 4: There are the port 'a potties. Good timing since they are right at the bottom of the hill. That will give me a chance to breathe before I head up the hill.

Port 'a Potty Break: Don't touch anything... don't touch anything...

Mile 4-5: Oh, man! My legs feel like lead going up this hill. I'll walk it and run down the other side.

The Other Side: OK... I'm going down hill. Literally and figuratively. Why isn't this getting easier?
Mile 5-6: Ouch. Now my foot is starting to hurt.
Mile 6-7: Is that the turn-around? I think it is. Now my feet feel sort of numb. What is up with that?! And look how swollen my hands are! Man hands! I think I see the turn-around. I'll start running again at the turn-around. Dang! Where is that turn around? Why does it seem to move away from me? I just want to get to that turn-around so I can really pick up my pace again. It's pretty much all down-hill from there. It'll be easy!

The Turn-Around: FINALLY! I'm going to take a quick stretching break and then I'm flying to the finish! And I'm off! Wait a minute. This isn't easy. Maybe I need a little inspiration... let me click back to that Melissa Etheridge song, "I Run for Life". There it is... that will do it. Or not.

Mile 8: I'm going to run one song and walk the next. Then I'll blog about how fun and helpful that was. Ahhh... "Say, Hey" by Michael Franti. Perfect song for running! Say hey, this song is longer than I remember. Oh, good. It's over. Time to walk.

Mile 9: New song-- time to run. "The Climb"... how appropriate. I can do this. Ain't about how fast I get there... well, that's good 'cause I ain't getting there any time soon! Ain't about what's waiting on the other side... but I really want my surfboard medal. It's the climb... shut up you little &%$@$! What do you know about climbing? I don't care how Achy-Breaky Heart-ed your daddy was... you know nothing!

Mile 9-13: That's it. I'm done. I am walking the rest of the way or I am going to end up in the ER tonight getting X-rays on my foot. Why am I so disappointed? I knew in my head it was going to be like this. After all, I haven't been able to train for this race. The longest I've run since last May was 5 miles... and I did pretty well up until about four miles. But, I *SO* want to do a race where I can really feel like I did well. This is like the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon... I'll finish but barely. At least my next half will (hopefully) be a certain personal best. What if it's not? I may never run again. Why do I do this? Maybe I should give up on running. OK, Sara, don't think like that.
Mile 13: I'll start running now. Nobody walks across the finish line. Hmmmm... that's interesting. Nobody walks across the finish line... there's got to be some deeper life meaning hidden in there somewhere. I'll have to figure it out later, I see the finish. And look there's Guitar Hero... and he's taking pictures. Dear God, please don't let him take a picture of my butt. I hate looking at myself from behind. Just smile and wave, Sara, smile and wave.
The Finish: FINALLY! Shut up announcer dude. Smile for the camera... look happy. Good, now I can stop running. I feel like I'm going to puke. Thanks for the medal, volunteer girl. No, please, NO MORE Vitalyte! If I drink another drop of Vitalyte, I'm going to see all the Vitalyte consumed along the route again. What ARE those metallic covers for, anyway? I'm hot! I don't want anything on me! What would happen if I pass out right now? I guess that would mean no beer garden for me! Eh, beer doesn't sound good right now, anyway.
Post Finish: Ahhhh.. there's Guitar Hero. He found me and he is congratulating me. For what? I just want a big, juicy hamburger. Smile for the post-race medal pictures. Hamburger. I want a hamburger. Somebody get me a hamburger!

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,.......................,,,, Oops. Feel asleep.

I am so tired today! And sore. I need to get to bed.

I got my hamburger, by the way.

Thanks for reading! I hope you didn't fall asleep, too!

Dear Naproxin, You are my Best Friend

2010-02-07T22:13:00.000-08:00

I want to post a detailed, interesting Surf City Half Marathon report. I want to post about how I kicked butt- how I didn't even break a sweat and felt like I was flying the entire 13.1 miles.

If I had time, I would post the detailed and hopefully interesting race report but I need to get to bed. If I could, I would be able to tell you all the other stuff. But I'm not only sleepy, I'm a horrible liar!

I just wanted to drop a quick note letting you know that I finished. And I want to thank you all for the encouragement and kind words, wishing me the best for the race. I just read the comments and your words made my evening!

Anyway, just to prove that I did finish, here is a picture of me with my cool surfboard Finisher's Medal. I will work on posting a report and more pictures tomorrow.

Happy Monday to you all!!

Surf City Pre-Race Report

2010-02-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

Well, we made it to Huntington Beach. My husband and I left our quiet, kid-free house later than we had planned. After getting lost a couple times and dealing with Orange County rainy-day traffic, it seemed like we may have hit the Expo at its peak hours. It was crowded. Very, very crowded. Thankfully, the race seems to be well-organized and I was able to pick up my race bib, race bag, and long-sleeve shirt very quickly.

The race bags didn't have any goodies in them... but that's OK because the race bag is a "goodie" in and of itself. Very cool race bag!

I wish I had taken a picture of the race bag... but hopefully you get the idea from this picture. That's me holding my race number.

We didn't spend much time at the Expo because of the crowds. I can usually tolerate crowds pretty well, but this was too much, even for me! My husband hates crowds of any size so I think he was very happy to get out of there. I have to give him credit, though... he didn't complain once about the crowds or about the time I took to look at stuff.

Even though the Expo was in a tented area, it was decorated very well! There were surfboard-signs everywhere. These signs, like the one behind me in the picture, pointed out where to go. There were plants set up, and lots of trash/recycling bins.

After we checked into our hotel, we went to dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe. Fun place & yummy food! Then we went to Sports Authority to find a new running cap. I lost my favorite running cap and was hoping to find a replacement at the Expo. If they had my hat at the Expo, I didn't see it. I was successful at Sports Authority, though, so that made me very happy!

Now, I'm in our hotel room, using a high-jacked internet service and waiting for my dinner to digest a little more before I try on my race outfit. I know what shirt I want to wear but I haven't decided yet if I'm going to wear my running skirt or shorts. Right now my stomach feels so bloated from food, water, and hormones that I know I'll look fat in either option. Blech!

My next blog post will be my race report! I'm not expecting to report some fabulously fast time. I'm just looking forward to reporting that I finished it. I figure if I can run/walk/limp 26.2 miles, I can run/walk/limp 13.1.

No matter what, I plan on having a FUN time! I've been looking forward to this race for months. I can't believe tomorrow is the day!!

I'll let you know how it goes!

My Favorite Things Winner

2010-01-31T20:53:00.000-08:00

I know you have all been waiting anxiously for this day... the day the winner of "A Few of My Favorite Things" giveaway is announced.

Before I announce the winner, let me just say thanks to all of you who took the time to read my blog and leave a comment. I've "met" lots of fellow running/ fitness bloggers. I'm looking forward to learning from each one of you!

Now... back to the giveaway winner annoucement. I made this giveaway as scientifically sound as possible. Each person who commented had the potential to earn up to three entries. I used Sticky-Notes to write down each name based on the number of entries earned. Most of you had three Sticky-Notes.

Mr. Big Stuff (my five year old) selected the instrument from which we would pull the lucky winner's name. He decided a five-gallon Lowe's bucket would be best for the job.

Here is Mr. Big Stuff, shaking up the names... just to make it fair.

Here he is, pulling out a name.

Note that his eyes are shut... again, to make it fair.

And the Winner is:

Oops... let's take a closer look.

And the Winner is:

Julie, of Julie's Running Blog!

Congratulations, Julie!

Here is what you'll be getting in the mail... assuming the mail man or woman can make it through all that Minnesota snow to deliver it to your doorstep.

As promised, a bottle of K2 Sunscreen* and Mission Organic Lip Balm
(in Strawberry and Pomegranate)

For fun, I threw in some Organic Honey Stinger Energy Chews (for those longer runs) and a cute running girl car sticker I got from Gypsy Runner at the Carlsbad Marathon Expo.

Obviously, I was banking on the odds that the winner would be a girl.

*Julie, all I could find was the sunscreen with SPF 30... if you'd rather have the SPF 50, let me know and I will check out some other places. :)

It was lots of fun hosting my first giveaway! Even my boys had fun. In fact, Mr. Big Stuff insisted on keeping each and every one of the Sticky-Notes with your names on them. He has been pretending to pull names out of the bucket all evening. And you can be sure I'll think of each of you often, as I find little Blogger Friend Sticky-Notes all over the house.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I've been keeping up with your blogs but haven't had much time to comment. I'm about three chapters behind* in my reading for my online Child Development class... once I get caught up there, I'll be able to read and comment on my Running Blogger Friends' posts again.

*It's true that teachers make the worst students... in my case, anyway!

I Need to Get Caught Up!

2010-01-25T22:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Blogger Friends!

It's been a couple days... I've been living in a foggier state than usual because I have been fighting this darn cold. I know I have lots of blogs to catch up on, and I'm looking forward to reading race reports from those of you who did races this past weekend.

I am sorry if I haven't been by your blog to ~~stalk~~ catch up with you. I know you all know how busy life gets sometimes.

Anyway, here are some really quick thoughts from me:

I'm thinking of pushing the giveaway ending date up to Wednesday. I'm so excited about sharing some of my favorite things, that I don't want to wait until January 31.
I ran four miles with my running group on Saturday. I was my usual slow self but it was a nice coastal run.
I'm thinking of getting a shirt made that says, "Don't talk to me. I'm running!" Seriously! I know people mean well when they try to strike up a conversation while running but I really, really prefer to run alone (even in a group). I like to listen to my music, go at my own pace, and concentrate on my run. It's my "alone" time.
The Surf City Half Marathon is in less than two weeks! I'm excited! I don't expect to wow myself or anyone else but I've been looking forward to this since last May when I had my husband and kids buy my race entry for my Mother's Day present.
I need to go to bed since I'm hoping to get in an early morning run before work tomorrow. Hoping that I'll feel well enough to get myself out of bed and do it, that is!

Good night! I'm going to get caught up tomorrow. Promise!

Well, as much as I can promise anything.

Three Things Thursday

2010-01-21T21:32:00.000-08:00

I don't do this very often, being the inconsistent person I am, but I noticed that today is:

Three! Things! Thursday!... Thursday!... Thursday!... Thursday!...

**In case you didn't catch that, that is my impersonation of one of those Monster Truck Rally commercials they show on TV**

And I'm going to participate this week. Here goes...

Southern California has been pounded by storms! I love it! We have wind, rain, hail, lightning, thunder... the works! Sure, this weather has forced me to the elliptical machine at the gym, instead of running the streets. But, I'm OK with that. For now. I'm still babying my heel so I figure the rain is a great excuse to give it more down-time.
I feel like I'm catching another cold. Those cute, little preschoolers are germy! I must wash my hands about 20 times a day. One of those nasty germs must have escaped the soaping, scrubbing, rinsing, and repeating and made its way into my body. I do NOT want to get sick again! I have a four-miler scheduled with my running group on Saturday.
My online Child Development class has started. I decided to take one class per semester until I have the units I need to teach my own class. At that point, I will hopefully be in a position where I can choose if I want to go back to Elementary School Teaching or stay in the Preschool setting. It's good to keep options open.

******************************************

Thank you to my fellow Bloggers who have mentioned and/or posted a link to my Favorite Things Giveaway!

Also, welcome to those who have found their way to my blog. I hope you are able to take the time to say "hi" and introduce yourself!

A Few of my Favorite Things Giveaway & Happy Blog Birthday!

2010-01-20T23:47:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday to Blog

Happy birthday, dear Blo-ooog...

Happy birthday to blog!

One year ago today I posted my very first running blog post. If you feel so inclined, you can read it here. The funny thing is, I thought I had come up with an original idea: I would chronicle my marathon-training journey for all the world to see!

It didn't take long to discover that there were lots of people out there with running blogs. Did I mind? Heck, no! What I lacked in originality, I gained a hundred-fold in support, encouragement, and knowledge from this incredible community of runners.

I believe there is a good chance that I would have given up on running and training if it weren't for my Running Blogger Friends. Your stories, experiences, triumphs, trials, and heart-breaks have kept the running spark alive in me.   I consider each of my Running Blogger Friends a blessing.

In order to thank you and to celebrate my blog's first birthday, I am sponsoring a giveaway. My first real giveaway!   If I had an unlimited supply of money, I'd send each of my blogger friends a special gift. But I'm sure you understand when I say that is just not possible.

I'm calling this "A Few of my Favorite Things" giveaway. I love running-related products!   While I have purchased a lot of unnecessary items, there are several products I won't run without. These things I keep in my Little Pink Running Essentials bag. Now you have the chance to try out a few of my favorite things.

Such as... A bottle of my favorite sunscreen: K2 Endurance Sunblock SPF 50 (1.5 Fluid Ounces).

I know it's winter... but spring and summer are coming! As a fair-skinned, cancer-avoiding, wrinkle-hating runner, I don't leave home without this on my face and neck. I have dry skin and I love the way this feels! It moisturizes but doesn't leave my skin greasy. I usually put this on instead of moisturizer and then put my makeup over it. It is also fragrance-free, which makes me happy. I do not like smelling my face all day. Bleh!

Another nice thing about this sunscreen is, it doesn't run when I sweat. I wore this when I did the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and did not get stingy eyes from it. I also did not get a yucky taste in my mouth. I hate when sunscreen taste makes its way into my mouth!

I'm a firm believer in sunscreen. Wear it. Or I will come to your house and beat you with a stupid stick.

Another favorite:

Hello, my name is Sara... and I am a lip balmoholic. Seriously. If you ever find me in a lip balmless moment, watch out! I need lip balm. I am miserable without it. Others are miserable when I'm without it. I hate having dry lips.

I may have a problem... but I have found Mission Skincare lip balms to be absolutely wonderful. The Strawberry happens to be my favorite. Now you have a chance to try this organic, SPFing, paraben free, wonder.

Knowing me as well as I do, I bet I'll throw a few other things into the giveaway package. I'll surprise you! I have a few other things in mind but I have to check on their availability first.

Here's how you can have the opportunity to try out a few of my favorite things:

1. Leave a comment explaining what YOU can't run without.
2. Become a "follower" of my blog if you aren't already. If you are, leave a comment telling me you are.
3. Post a link to this giveaway on your blog & leave a comment when/if you do.

Each person has the opportunity to get up to three entries by commenting three times. I'll pick the winner randomly but the more entries, the better chance you have to get a few of my favorite things.

This giveaway ends on January 31, 2010.

OK... good night you all! Good luck & I look forward to hearing from you. :-)

Mommy Monday

2010-01-18T22:50:00.000-08:00

Hmmm... "Mommy Monday". Has a nice ring to it.

Maybe I'll make every Monday a Mommy-related post.

Since today is my youngest son's birthday, I thought I'd take a break from writing anything running-related. Or heel-related. Or Pigeon Pose-related.

Instead, I'm going to share some pictures of the day my little "Mr. Big Stuff" was born.

I can hardly believe it's been five years since I went in for my scheduled C-section...

and got to see and hold my baby for the first time!

A very pregnant me, just before heading out the door to go to hospital.

It's amazing how much a stomach can stretch!

I'll spare you from having to see the gore of the C-section (my husband took lots of pictures)

and let you see Mr. Big Stuff cleaned up and fresh out of the womb.

The first time "The Professor" (my oldest) saw his new baby brother.

He wasn't all that impressed.

All of my men together... a couple days later & at home.

We were a little surprised when we found out we were going to have another baby.

It was difficult getting used to the idea that our lives were about to be made

much more complicated than we had envisioned.

But, we would never change any of it!

Mr. Big Stuff is my affectionate, loving, sweet little guy!

I cannot imagine life without his mischievous little smile, funny antics, and sparkling eyes.

Happy 5th Birthday to my little man!

Confessions of a Control Freak

2010-01-17T23:21:00.000-08:00

It's been almost a week since my last post! Where did the days go? Mostly, my days were consumed with my preschool job, trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, planning my youngest son's fifth birthday party, and not running.

Preschool
I'm finding that I really like working with preschool-aged kids. The problem is, I'm not educated enough to teach my own preschool class. I am only qualified to be an assistant. Never mind that I'm educated and certified to teach a class of 34+ students... as long as they are in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Which leads me to...

What Do I want to be When I grow Up?
I have to be honest and admit it's difficult to take a back seat in the classroom and let someone else be the up-front person. I love being the one who holds the kids' attention, who reads the stories, who teaches the letter sounds, who manages the the behavior, and so on.

Let's all say this together: "Control Freak"

On the other hand, I like being the one who doesn't make lesson plans, who doesn't report directly to concerned parents, and who doesn't spend the weekend preparing for the next week.

As a result of these conflicting desires, I'm trying to figure out if I should pursue earning enough units in Early Childhood Education to become a lead preschool teacher or concentrate on eventually finding another job at the elementary school level.

Hmmm... no need to rush but I do like to have all my ducks in a row. OK Bloggers... once again, can you say "Control Freak"?

My Baby's Fifth Birthday Party
My sweet baby boy turns five tomorrow. Today we had his family birthday party. I don't know why I bothered trying to plan the party... turns out my independent little man had his own plans. Mr. Big Stuff picked out the decorations, the party favors, the colors, the theme, and the food. He even picked out and wrapped his own presents.

It was hard to back off and let his five year old mind make his plans, but Mr. Big Stuff is a "big guy" in a small package (which is why I call him Mr. Big Stuff). I have to say, with a little guidance and a little help wrapping, he did a great job! He even cleaned up most of the trash after the party. Yes, you read that right... he cleaned up!

I'm seeing a theme here: This control freak is learning how to not be in control of everything.

And this lack of control freakyness has played its part in my running...

Not Running
I spent the last couple weeks taking a break from running. I've been riding my bike, doing the elliptical, strength training, and reading about running. I'm trying to be wise. I'm trying to follow the example of some of my fellow bloggers. I've been trying to get my heel/foot in better shape so I can start out fresh with my running group. It was a test of my will-power to not run but I managed.

Running
Finally, on Saturday, I ran. My group had a three miler scheduled and I decided to do it. It went well and I really, really enjoyed it! My heel/foot didn't bother me much during the run. As usual, I feel it now- post run. It's not as bad as it has been at its worst. It's also not as good as it's been at its best. It's the type of pain that is annoying and somewhat a hindrance but not unbearable.

So, do I live with "annoying" and ""somewhat hindering"? Or do I strive for pain-free, running bliss? Do I take the time to see if barefoot and/or minimalist running is going to solve my foot problems? Or do I get fitted for custom orthotics and hope for a quicker fix?

I don't know. The control freak in me wants a solution now. The sensible side of me would like to fix the source of the problem and not just the symptom.

Your Opinions Regarding Orthotics
Do you or have you ever worn custom orthotics? Do/did they help?

If you live in the San Diego area and have had success with orthotics, who do you recommend in terms of podiatrists or other doctors?

Your Opinions Regarding Recovery Socks
I've been looking into getting a pair of compression/recovery socks. Do you use them? What kind do you use and why?

Good night my Running Blogger Friends! I look forward to reading your thoughts. Meanwhile, it looks like I'll be running in the rain this week. We are supposed to get a few big storms sweeping through the area. Woo-hoo!!

It's Unofficially Official!

2010-01-09T22:41:00.000-08:00

San Diego Rocks!

I have great news!

The San Diego Rock 'n' Roll is offering the

Half Marathon option!!

and

I am registered to run it!

That's right, before it has even been "officially" announced, the Competitor Group showed up at our first running group meeting and gave us all the chance to sign up. They were even offering a free T-shirt for signing up. I love free T-shirts. How could I resist? After all, I've been hoping for the Half option ever since I crossed the Full marathon finish line last May.

Now on to other things...

Pigeon Pose Guy, Part II

In my last post, I mentioned the trainer at my new gym who said he likes my Pigeon Pose. It gets even better... I ran into him again at the gym on Friday and he noticed my Chi Running book. Mr. Pigeon Pose gave me a double "thumbs up" and performed the happy dance when he saw my book. He's a very animated person, I'm discovering.

We started talking about Chi Running and I mentioned the injuries I have had to deal with since I started running a year ago. Mr. PP showed me some strengthening exercises to do in order to prevent a recurrence of the injuries. He also suggested I try running barefoot. That's right, barefoot! I was so excited because most people look at me like I'm crazy when I mention that I'm going to give barefoot running a try.

I told PP my intentions of running barefoot and mentioned my recent Vibram Five Fingers purchase. Assuming he would be right on board with those, too, I was a little taken aback when he said in a more subdued tone, "Oh. I've never tried those."

He then proceeded to explain why... apparently, Mr. Pigeon Pose has nine toes!

**I have to stop for a moment and tell you all how proud I am of myself that I didn't say something stupid. Like what I was thinking... Which was: "They ought to make Vibram Five/Four Fingers."**

Instead, I said, "Oh. Yeah, that would be sort of hard."

He laughed and said they ought to sponsor him, that way they could make a pair of custom Vibram shoes for him. I agree!

Vibram Inc., do you hear that? I'm sure you read my blog faithfully, so I am making a request on behalf of my trainer friend, Mr. Pigeon Pose. Please, please sponsor him and make a pair with just nine toes!

* It may seem as if I have a crush on Mr. PP... I don't. Really! I'm just so happy to find a gym where the trainers actually train you. And even better, having trainers who understand runners!! The trainers there are attentive to all their members. How cool is that?!

West Coast Road Runners

Today was orientation day for my running group. I could not believe how many people were there to sign up to train! There were way more people than last year. I don't think the WCRR organizers were expecting such a large crowd... they ran out of goodie-bags!

I am still taking time off of running so I didn't do the 3-mile pace run with the group. I don't need to run to know my pace. I know my pace is SLOW. I plan to continue with my cross-training for the next week and hopefully be ready to run with the group next Saturday.

A Year? Already?!

I realized this morning that it has been almost a year since I started this blog. It has been a little more than a year since I decided that I would like to go from being a non-runner to a marathon runner. I have learned so much during this one year! I have "met" so many awesome running bloggers during this time!

I will blog more about what I've learned- and what you all have taught me- sometime in the next few days. I'm also working on celebrating my Blog Birthday by hosting my very first real* giveaway! I'm hoping to offer you a chance to win one of my favorite finds since I started this running journey. Details coming soon!

*I'll consider this my first giveaway since there were no takers for my used, single Feetures Sock. Poor, poor unwanted sock.

Rockin' the Pigeon Pose

2010-01-07T22:52:00.000-08:00

My New Gym

In my last post, I mentioned that I was going to check out a new gym. For $10 per month and no commitment, I wasn't sure what to expect.

I was impressed! The gym is large, clean, filled with new equipment, and not filled with big egos. The staff is friendly and didn't try to pressure me into upgrading my membership to one of the more costly options. There are plenty of free weights, weight machines, and lots of cardio machines!

At my old gym, there were too many grunting, sweaty, guys with egos larger than their overworked biceps. The staff & trainers wouldn't give you the time of day unless you had an appointment... or if they were trying to get me to recruit my friends and family. There were times when I'd notice at least three or four broken machines. While the group instructors at my old gym were great, the rest of the gym wasn't worth the money they took out of my account each month.

I had a great workout last night and can't wait to go back tomorrow! I'm happy that I signed up... especially since I made the decision to not run for another week or so. I want to give my heel another rest. In the meantime, I plan to get used to walking barefoot, learn the Chi method, strengthen my weak spots, and cross train. My goal is to start fresh with new & improved running form (Chi), prepare myself to run either barefoot or with minimal footwear (as long as it helps), and to hopefully lose as little conditioning as possible while I wait to run.

My Awesome Yoga Moves

At the end of my workout, I did my usual set of stretches. My favorite of all the stretches is the pigeon pose. If you aren't familiar with this delightful Yoga pose, please refer to the hand-drawn figure below:

This is an artist rendering of me, doing the half-pigeon pose. It is a great stretch for runners because it opens the hips and helps prevent IT Band injuries.*

I was in my own little iPod World when I was doing my stretches and didn't notice that one of the trainers was watching me. As I was leaving, he said good-bye (something my old gym never did) and told me he liked my pigeon-pose. I was both flattered and a little bashful.

In my usual verbal-communicationally-challenged way, I stuttered and mumbled something like, "Oh. Well. Uh. I'm a runner."

Yes, I'm just that smooth when a young, good-looking man compliments me on my pigeon-pose. Good thing I'm married and planning on staying that way, or I'd be destined for Old-Maidhood!

This is how cool my new gym is: The trainer didn't look at me in that bewildered way I'm so used to... he got it! He said, "Yes. That is a great stretch for runners! Really opens up the hips." Ahhhh... awkward moment deflected.

As I fled the gym, kicking myself for saying such stupid things, I knew I made a good decision. I think I'm really going to like working out there... at least one of the trainers seems to understand what runners need. I like that.

*If, for some strange reason, my artistic talent doesn't give you enough information about this great stretch, Google it! It's well worth it!

Another Surf City Update
Thanks to blogger friend, Glenn, at The Running Fat Guy, I learned that I cannot pick up my race packet the day of the race. Now our plans are to stay at a hotel about 10 miles from the start (about $400 less expensive than our original start-line hotel plan). Fortunately, the new hotel includes a shuttle service for two to the starting line. So, we will head up on Saturday, go to the Expo, pick up my race packet, stay overnight, and go home on Sunday.

I am really looking forward to the Surf City Half Marathon!! Wheee!

Happy Friday, everyone!! The weekend is here!

Decisions, Decisions

2010-01-05T21:55:00.000-08:00

"A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one."

~ Rita Mae Brown

I am excited! I made some decisions today regarding my running and training.

Running Group
I decided to sign up with the West Coast Road Runners. This is the same running group I was with last year. I was hesitant at first because, as I mentioned in a previous post, I didn't really feel like I connected with the group. It probably didn't help that I was too slow for the pace group I joined... and too fast for the walker group. I sort of felt like I was my own, unique pace group and I ran alone.

There are a few reasons why I decided on this group:

I like that I know what to expect with this group. I know the routes they run and how the group works.
This year, it looks like they are including run/walkers as a group. When it comes to injury prevention, I like the Galloway way... if you aren't familiar with this training method, it's basically a run:walk program. For example, run for 5 minutes... walk for 2 minutes... run for 5 minutes... walk for 2 minutes... and so on. I may join that pace group.
I have received the unofficial word that the San Diego Rock & Roll will include a half this year. I called the race organizers today and was told that they were awaiting "confirmation" that the half is logistically do-able. When I pushed the very nice girl on the phone, she said I could feel pretty comfortable about training for a half. Suh-weeeet! I like the idea of training for a local race with a local running group.
My funny running buddy, Mitchell, called today to see if I'd be interested in signing up with him. He is like a brother to me and is largely responsible for me signing up for the Rock & Roll Marathon last year. That was the final confirmation I needed. We don't run together because he is faster than I am but it's nice having a good friend to carpool and share experiences with.

Surf City Half Marathon
I decided I'm going to do it. I may end up mostly walking it but that's OK. We won't be making a long, romantic weekend of it, as planned, but Guitar Hero offered to drive up to Huntington Beach with me the morning of the race. I'll do the race as best as I can, get my medal & shirt, chalk it up to experience, and go home.

Strength & Cross Training
A few months ago, I canceled my gym membership. I did this as a way to help ease our financial obligations. The problem is, I'm just not as motivated to work out at home. Plus, there are too many distractions at home. Just after I canceled my membership, I got a job. I would have kept my membership had I known that was going to happen.

Yesterday, I received a flier in the mail for a new gym in our area that allows the option to pay monthly... no commitment and only $10 per month. There's no pool, no childcare, and no extras included in this deal. It sounds like what I need! I decided to check this gym out and join, if I like it. I plan to check it out tomorrow so I'll let you know how it goes.

Alright, Running Blogger Friends... time for me to catch up on what is going on in your lives! Have a fantastic Wednesday!

Born to Run... Forced to Ride

2010-01-04T23:48:00.000-08:00

I really dislike not being able to run.

And I have mixed feelings about bike riding: Cycling is fun, fast, and satisfying. I love the sound of the wind blowing past my helmet-clad head. I like thinking that I may be able to out-ride even the meanest rabid dog, should one choose to try to take a chunk out of my leg. I enjoy being able to go relatively far distances on my bike. Mostly, I love the speed I can get while going down a steep hill.

So, why do I get on my bike somewhat begrudgingly? Because it's not running. The thing is, I love to run. I only like to bike.

I like the solitude I get from running. I love the control running gives me. I can control my speed (as long as it's set on slow). When I run, I can see cars coming toward me because I can run facing on-coming traffic. I like knowing that I won't get a flat shoe when I run. I feel secure in knowing that if I fall while running, I probably don't have to worry about getting a brain injury.

Don't get me wrong, I totally "get" why people why people love to cycle! If I weren't a runner, I'd be a cyclist. Maybe. Or a couch potato.

The other day, I received an email from a company that makes cycling jerseys. They wanted me to check out their website and mention it on my blog if I liked what I saw. At first I laughed that they had obviously mistaken me for a cycling enthusiast. Then I reminded myself that cycling often ends up being an important part of a runner's training. Especially when that runner is trying to recover from a running related injury, such as myself. At the very least, cycling can be a great cross-training activity... and we've all read of the importance of cross-training.

I checked out their website. And I liked what I saw! The website is Share the Damn Road. If you are a runner who cycles because of injury... or a tri-athlete... or a good little cross-trainer... check out this site! These jerseys make a statement. And they are sort of funny, without taking away from the seriousness of the message.

This one makes me laugh because it's so simple... but it says it all:

I love understated remarks!

Notice that the "Thanks" is backwards so drivers can view it in their mirrors.

Then there's this one:

I could have used this one several times on my last bike ride.

Hmmm... I wonder if they have the arrow going the other direction in Europe.

I'm not so sure about this one:

This one is just asking for some smart a$$ teenager to honk.

I really like this one but I'm not sure if I want to be seen riding up to my church-based preschool in it:

Hmmm... maybe if I still worked in public school...

There are other jerseys available on the site... all of them have the dry humor seen on these examples. Um, at least I assume the makers of these jerseys mean them to be funny. Serious, but funny*.

*I apologize to Share the Damn Road if they aren't meant to be funny. It's possible that I have a warped sense of humor.

In any case, there are times when I am scared of the drivers that share (or don't share) the road with me. There are times when cars whiz by me so close or so fast that I fear for my life for a few seconds. Maybe these jerseys will make drivers more aware. I know I would notice these jerseys if I saw one while driving. I am not a jerk so I would give the cyclist room. I would slow down. I wouldn't honk (not that I do now). I would NOT run the cyclist over (again... not that I do now).

What do you think?

Goals and Plans for 2010

2010-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

I'm caving into the peer pressure and decided to blog about my goals (or "resolutions" if you prefer). I don't usually make New Year's resolutions but, as always, I've been inspired by my Running Blogger Friends.

Health Goals

Eat more fruits and veggies... in fact, as of three days ago, I'm a vegetarian. I'm going to go month-by-month on the whole vegetarian thing. I'm trying it out to see if being a vegetarian makes me feel any different.
Eat more raw foods
Drink at least 60 ounces of water everyday
Cut back on sugar

Training Goals

Ride and Run a total of 2010 combined miles
Strengthen my core, ankles & feet, and upper body
Join a running group
Run or cross-train five days a week
Get custom orthotics if current injury-eliminating endeavors don't work

Personal Goals

Get clean laundry put away before the pile turns into Mt. Everest

I try to be realistic when I set goals. I think all of those goals are do-able. Well, OK... maybe not that last one.

San Diego Rock 'n' Roll 2010
It looks* as if the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon is now going to offer a half-marathon option. If that is true, all I can say is: "WOO-HOO!" I am not interested in doing another full marathon... at least not at this time... so I thought I was done with the SDRnR forever. If the half is an option, I am 99% sure I will sign up.

*I'm confused because I received a flier from the race organizers that made it look as if they are offering a half. There is also an ad in this months Runner's World and it says the same thing. On the other hand, the Rock 'n' Roll website mentions nothing about a half and doesn't list it on the registration page. What is up?!

Surf City Half Marathon
I am not ready for this one. I should be much further along in my training but because of various set-backs, I'm not. I really want to do this half but I'm trying to decide if pulling off another "barely finished" will be worth the expense of staying at a hotel for the weekend. Guitar Hero and I were going to make a getaway weekend out of it and stay at one of the nicer hotels near the start.

I would still be all for having a getaway weekend, barely finishing, and just having fun... except our 15 year anniversary is a couple weeks later and I'd rather use the money to go somewhere more appealing (to us) than Huntington Beach. I would feel differently if I knew I could do the race, give it my all, and still enjoy my time with my husband.

Basically, if I do this one, I'll pretty much be walking it just so I can get my cool surfboard medal and the long-sleeved tech shirt. Those things aren't worth the $500+ we would have to spend for accommodations and food.

My other option is to drive up to the race early that morning, do the race, and drive home. If anyone is planning to do the Surf City and is planning on driving up the morning of the race and wants to carpool, let me know.

Well, that's all for now! Enjoy your weekend!

The 5K, Barney Butter, and 2010

2009-12-31T17:01:00.000-08:00

First of all, I want to say

Happy New Year to everyone!

The Holiday Bowl Parade 5K
This was a very fun race! I went into it with the goal of having fun and it was "mission accomplished". I got to run it with my friend Beckie who is out from Colorado for the holidays. She is a San Diego native who moved to the Denver area a couple years ago.

That's her, registering for the 5K

Beckie recently finished the Couch to 5K program so this was her first race- ever. She did great! It was fun being a part of her first race... she was so excited about the swag and the goodie bag. She ran the whole way and we actually came into the finish line together.

Here we are before the race, in front of the Star of India (the ship in the background).

I'm glad to see my reflective Road Runners logo works.

And here we are after the race... with the San Diego
Harbor behind us.

The course was beautiful. The weather was running-perfect. The atmosphere was so much fun! There were thousands of spectators there to watch the Holiday Bowl Parade and the 5K course ran along the same route, prior to the parade. They cheered the runners as we went by. I almost felt like a celebrity.

Did I mention the route was beautiful?

And my favorite part of the race?

NO BLUE PORT 'O POTTIES!

That's right, folks- real bathrooms with flushing toilets, soap and running water... thanks to the Hilton at the start of the race.

My Time?
The race didn't have the time chip thingees so I am not putting much stock into the actual race time. At the start, it bottle-necked so badly that we probably walked for almost two minutes before being able to run. The time at the finish said 39:10, which isn't too different from my prior 5K times. So, did I PR? I might have, if I could subtract some of the time it took to walk to and beyond the start line. I decided not to wear Rudy (my Garmin) so I'll never know for sure. And that's OK because I had fun and my heel and legs felt pretty good!

Barney Butter
I was the lucky winner of She Wears a Red Sox Cap's Barney Butter Giveaway. I got it in the mail yesterday and I have to say, this is without a doubt the best almond butter I've ever had!! I tried it on organic apple slices and it was delicious! My favorite part of this almond butter is that it isn't as sweet and gooey-rich as other almond butters I've tried. It tastes like almonds!

I received a jar of the smooth and the crunchy kind. My favorite is the crunchy but my husband liked the smooth better. I will have to order this in place of the brands I've been buying because it is so yummy! If you'd like to try this deliciousness for yourself, check out the Barney Butter website. They have free samples.

Thanks, Kelly, for the scrumptious almond butter!

Check out some of the other blogger giveaways going on right now... you can find them on my sidebar to the right.

Alright everyone! Off to party! Have a fun and safe New Year's Eve!!

I Found Some New Muscles!

2009-12-29T21:46:00.000-08:00

And they are all in my feet and calves. And right now they hurt. I guess I woke up some sleeping muscles and they are not morning people .

I was warned that running in Vibrams and/or barefoot will make you sore for a while. I'm here to vouch for that little bit of information. So far it seems like the good kind of sore... the kind you like to feel on your butt the day after doing squats.

I tried out a run yesterday. It was just a mile but that was enough for now! I felt slow and apprehensive but really good for the first half mile. The next quarter mile was pretty much downhill and I was going fast (fast for me, that is) and I still felt pretty good. I hit the proverbial "brick wall" at about three-quarters of mile and had to walk the rest of the way home.

Here's where I ran and how it felt:

Sidewalk= Eh, boring... I don't like running on sidewalks
Asphalt= Better... I like to feel the bumps on the soles of my feet
These rocks you find in peoples' water-wise gardens= Bumpy, a little uncomfortable, and fun! I'm weird & like to feel rocks under my feet (a couple of my friends used to call me "Goat Girl"- I don't like goats & it wasn't very flattering, in my mind... so please don't call me that).
Dirt= Ahhhh...sweet bliss
Smashed Tequila Bottle= Managed to avoid that one! Guess I shouldn't drink that stuff while I run!

Post Run
I felt sore. My heel hurt (but then it's never stopped hurting since the marathon). About 20 minutes after running, I noticed a strange sensation in my feet. They felt.... alive. That's the only way I can describe it. They were warm, flexible, and I could feel the blood flowing through them. I could tell they were happy... even if it was only for a little while, before the muscles decided to cause a rebellion (isn't that just typical of those hard-to-please body parts?!).

The Day After
I'm sore. Did I mention that?

Tomorrow
I'm doing a 5K. This was the one that was going to allow me to redeem my lack of PR on for my last 5K. Now I'll be running it for fun... screw the PR because I doubt that's going to happen with these aching muscles.

I will be wearing my shoes. I can tell I'm not ready to race barefoot or in my Vibrams. All in due time, I guess. I just wish I weren't so impatient.

I have to go to bed now so I can get up early for the race. I'll be sure to take pictures! I plan to catch up on my bloggy friends tomorrow afternoon.

By the way, thanks so much for all the nice, supportive comments regarding my last two posts!! I appreciate you all so much!

There's GOT to be a Better Way-- Part II

2009-12-28T13:26:00.000-08:00

Note:

If you haven't read Part I of this, you might want to go back one post. Here, I'll even save you the trouble of having to click around too much to get there. Just click here: Part I

I left off on my last post explaining what I had been learning about running barefoot as opposed to running with shoes. I tried to leave you guessing regarding what I was going to do with the information... but I'm sure you've figured it out. And if we're Facebook friends, you probably already know.

Making Contact
The more I read about barefoot running, the more I just wanted to get out there and try it. I have always enjoyed being barefoot and I love to feel the ground under my feet (unless I'm in my boys' bathroom... then I pretty much have to put on some of those biohazard footies prior to entry).

So the other day, I was a good cross-trainer and went on a bike ride. After that, I decided to go on very short, one-mile run. I headed out with the intention of taking my shoes off for the last couple blocks of the run... just to try it. The shoe part of the run was OK... there was some heel pain but that is "normal" for me. When I took my shoes off (looking around first to see if anyone was watching the crazy lady remove a perfectly good pair of shoes to go native) and kept going. It was weird at first. Then it was fun! Here's the amazing part: My heel wasn't hurting!

I definitely felt my muscles in my feet waking up and starting to gripe a bit. But it was that good kind of pain you get after you've lifted weights. I had read that barefoot running needs to be eased into slowly... and that is why. Muscles our feet haven't used much since childhood need to be built up again.

My first barefoot experience, though short, was really enjoyable! I know what you're thinking... "Wait a minute, this is the same person who enjoyed getting a needle shoved into the bottom of her foot." Let's just say that I would choose running on pavement, dirt, and seed pods over a cortisone shot any day of the week!

What about Broken Glass, Sharp Rocks, and Grounded Bumble Bees?
I'm not entirely fearless, so I started researching the various so-called barefoot running shoes. The shoe name that kept coming up was the Vibram Five Fingers. The name alone was enough to make me wonder if they were serious. Their appearance is even more awkward. The name kept coming up, however, in the online barefoot community as a decent foot protection option.

The Search
There are a few barefoot running shoes out there but I decided to give the Vibram Five Fingers a try. Fortunately, I had received some unexpected cash for Christmas so shopping I went. First, I tried shopping online but quickly learned that many places were cleaned out of the more popular sizes & colors because of Christmas and weren't expecting to get more in stock until mid-January at the earliest.

I knew the model I wanted to get (KSO). And I knew the color I didn't want to get (black). The black look way too much like gorilla feet for my taste. All the online retailers that had my size, only had it in black. So, I tried my luck at the local retailers listed on the Vibram website, not expecting good news. I called every store in a 30 mile radius (there were eight) and finally struck gold at the Birkenstock store in Encinitas, which is about 15 miles away from my house.

Not only did they have my size, they had it in a color other than black. Score! I asked the salesgirl on the phone to hold them for me, convinced my clean-cut, conservative husband that going to a Birkenstock store to buy shoes does not make you a hippie, and off we went.

Here they are, in all their crazy-looking glory:

Side note: Those who live in San Diego County might recognize this Encinitas hill... this is the killer hill right next to Moonlight Beach. We are going down. In our van. But not too long ago this was mile 17 of my running group's 22-mile long run before the marathon. And we had to go up. It was fun.

I also wore them geo-caching... one of my husband's favorite hobbies:

They are suitable for street running, trail running, hiking, rock climbing, walking, kayaking, boating, and geo-caching. I like how they feel, how I can feel the ground through them, and that my feet don't get dirty in them.

I haven't tried running in them yet... the instructions are very clear that you need to gradually build up feet strength before going too far in them. I hope to give them a short run around the neighborhood after I get some laundry done... in other words, sometime much later this afternoon.

Being Balanced
So, am I giving up on running shoes? Am I going to become one of those runners who believe there is only one way to run? Will I start eating only fruits and berries and refuse to wear deodorant? The answer to all of the above is NO.

Like everything else in life, there needs to be balance when it comes to running. To jump from one extreme to another in anything is not my style. I like shoes. And I LOVE socks. Wouldn't it be ideal to be able to run properly no matter what is on- or under- you feet?

Will running barefoot/gorilla-footed solve my injury issues? I don't know. I hope so. If I continue getting injured doing what I have grown to love, I'm going to have to try something else. If that involves spending $400 for podiatrist-prescribed custom orthotics, I'll be willing to try that too.

For now, I'm trying this whole barefoot/almost-barefoot thing. Because it makes sense. For now, I'm going to try out alternative running techniques (like Chi Running). Because I am still a rookie.

You can bet I'll let you know how it goes!!

I'm on a Winning Streak!
By the way... I'm a WINNER!! I won some Barney Butter from the beautiful, fun, kindergarten-teaching blogger Kelly at She Wears a Red Sox Cap. I can't wait to try it! YUM!

There's GOT to be a Better Way- Part I

2009-12-27T23:51:00.000-08:00

I don't know where to start! Since my last post, I've been doing a lot of reading and thinking.

If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that since I started this venture into the world of running less than a year ago, I have spent much of my time trying to recover from one injury or another. Looking back, I can almost trace each of my injuries according to the type of shoe I was wearing at the time.

Here's my shoe/injury time line:

January 2009- Asics GT-2140: My first pair of shoes as I started training for my marathon. I bought these based on "expert" evaluation of my running. I was told I overpronate so I need stability shoes. Less than three months later, I exchanged them due to sharp pain in both ankles and the start of pain in my right knee.

March 2009- Asics Kayano15: My second pair of running shoes. I exchanged the first pair for these based on the suggestion that I must need more cushion along with that stability. The ankle pain disappeared... but the knee pain intensified. My knee became so bad I couldn't run or train for the marathon for about four weeks. Heck! I could hardly walk! I had X-rays and physical therapy. Once the knee pain became tolerable, I was given the OK to start running again. So I did. During my first long run since my knee setback, I started experiencing pain in my left heel. That same day I said "adios" to my Kayanos.

May 2009- Mizunos Wave: I can't remember the exact model but I know they were expensive. Fortunately, I was able to exchange the Kayanos for these even though it was a few days past my 90-return period. The Mizunos were recommended for their stability, cushioning, and lighter feel than the Kayanos. They felt better than the Kayanos but they did nothing to help my heel. In fact, the heel only got worse as I kept training for the marathon (if you can call inconsistent runs, pool running, and bike riding "training"). At the end of May, I did the marathon but it was not pretty. Honestly, it was ugly.

I could go on to include the pair of Saucony TR 3 that I purchased in May of 2009 through onlineshoes.com because I had won a bloggy raffle for a $100 gift certificate. These were the least expensive of the shoes I tried and didn't boast stability control. But they were my favorite of the bunch.

I could also include my most recent purchases and exchanges as part of my shoe history. In fact, the pair of Saucony I purchased, tried to run in, and subsequently returned was very unkind to my heel (which has not been pain-free since May).

So Where is this Going?

All of the above leads me to the present. I am SO tired of being injured. I'm sick of hearing people tell me that I should take up bike-riding and give up on running. I'm frustrated that the cortisone shots I've had have done nothing to solve the problem. I've heard everything from, "You just don't have a runner's body" to "Running is too hard on the body".

I cannot accept that reasoning. I experienced enough elderly, physically handicapped, and overweight people kicking my butt during the marathon that I refuse to buy that I am not cut out to run. I have no physical reason to keep my body out of the sport.

I like running. I need to run to keep my brain clear. I spent years declaring my hatred of running... only to find that I actually love it. I'm not going to give it up that easily.

So... is it me? Am I doing something wrong? No one taught me how to run. I didn't think anyone would have to. Now I am learning that I was wrong. Maybe there is not just one way to run... but there are better ways to run.

This realization inspired me to check out Chi Running. Researching Chi Running lead me to the barefoot running movement. At the same time, I got Christopher McDougall's book Born to Run for Christmas (I ordered it on my husband's behalf... as his gift to me). I didn't realize it when I ordered it, but much of the book looks at the impact running shoes have had the running community. In short, running shoe companies may have had good intentions when they first introduced high-tech shoes to the market but have actually contributed to the rising number of running-related injuries.

Those who advocate barefoot running explain that the foot has been designed (or "evolved", if you prefer) to take on the rigors of running and don't need help with their intended purpose. They argue that all these specialized running shoes are actually making our feet weak and out of touch with their relationship to the ground (the italicized part is my interpretation).

So, where does this leave me? I'll have to finish that later. This is already a ridiculously long post and it's getting late.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and continue to enjoy this holiday season!

Signing off for Christmas

2009-12-23T23:53:00.000-08:00

I probably won't be posting until after Christmas so I just wanted to quickly tell you all

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope your holiday- however you might celebrate it- is joyful, memorable, and full of love & laughter.

I am so thankful for my Running Blogger Friends... you all deserve the best!

Cyber Hugs to you all!

Sara (Rookie on the Run)

The Uncanny iPod Brain

2009-12-22T23:51:00.000-08:00

I Lied
Well, not intentionally... I miscalculated. I thought my cute pink shoes were coming today but they are actually scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I'm waiting, Mr. UPS... get your brown-clad fanny to my house!

My iPod has a Sense of Humor
Seriously. Sometimes I think it has a mind of its own. For example, it had been raining early this morning. When I started out on my run, however, the sun was shining between the scattered clouds. The first song that popped up on my iPod was "Walking on the Sun" by Smash Mouth.

A few songs later, the sun was still holding its own when Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain" came on. I thought to myself, "Well, I might be a fool but at least it's not in the rain. Yet." Two songs later, Miley Cyrus' song, "The Climb" came on... just as I was making my way up a hill.

Guess what happened not long after "Who'll Stop the Rain?" by CCR came on. Yep! It started raining! I was beginning to wonder if I should consult my iPod for the winning lotto numbers.

The next song up was "Crash into Me" by Dave Matthews. At this point, I decided it might be in my best interest to run on the sidewalk rather than on the street. I was wearing my Road ID bracelet but I sure didn't want to have to make use of it!

The next- and final- song was KT Tunstill's "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree". I was walking up my driveway when this one came on. I turned it off. I have always wondered about those lyrics... and didn't want to find out what they mean first-hand.

Wardrobe Malfunction
I recently purchased a RunningSkirts Capri Running Skirt for cool morning runs, like today's run. I love it! The only thing is, when I tried it on at their warehouse, I was in a hurry and had my four year old with me. As a result, I didn't get to spend much time really evaluating the fit. I think I should have gotten the size smaller than the one I picked. When I run in it, it feels like it is going to slip off my hips and drop to my ankles. I spent the first half of my run pulling them up and finally folding the top over at the waist... which seemed to help. I hate having to fiddle with my clothes when I run!! I'm hoping they will fit better if I wear underwear with them.

Sorry. Is that too much information?

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chi-a!
As promised, here is the topic I'd like to discuss for this post. Chi Running. Have you tried it? Have you even heard of it? Do you know anyone who follows this running method?

If you have answered "yes" to any of the above questions, I'd like to know what you think.

I ordered a book off of Amazon.com but I won't get it until after Christmas. I'm interested in this running method because it supposedly reduces injuries and increases speed. Running form, foot strike, and thinking seem to be important aspects in Chi Running training.

I have never really learned how I'm supposed to carry myself and plant my feet as I run. I just figured running is running, and whatever works is the best. Based on my injuries and excessive slowness, what I'm doing is not working for me. Will Chi Running be the answer? I don't know yet. But I'm willing to try!

Random Ramblings

2009-12-21T23:02:00.000-08:00

Today's Run

Didn't happen. I was so looking forward to getting up and running this morning. Instead, I woke up several times in the night with a headache (sinus related, I'm sure). The headache stuck with me until mid-morning so the run was just not meant to happen.

The good news is, I feel less stuffy, my headache is gone, and my heel feels even more ready for a run. So, let's hear it for tomorrow!

Adventures in Shoe Shopping

I mentioned in my last blog that I returned my new Saucony Grid Fusion 2 shoes. I love my current pair of Saucony shoes so I thought I'd give these a try. I'm sure they are great for some people but they were lacking in cushion and flexibility for me. I was able to place an exchange and send them back to onlineshoes.com free of shipping charges... even though I had run in them!

I exchanged the Saucony for these:

Ryka Revive

Why Ryka? My husband used to work for Jazzercise and this is the brand the company endorsed. I received a free pair of cross trainers from Ryka through Jazzercise and loved them!

Based on my previous experience with Ryka, I was willing to give them a try. Plus, I like the colors on this shoe. When the UPS guy dropped them off, I immediately tried them on. I liked how light they were... for about 5 minutes. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that these appear to be made of really cheap material. They feel light because they are about as flimsy as flip-flops. I didn't have to test run these to know they were not right for me.

Once again, I took advantage of the free exchange shipping and taped them back up in the box they arrived in. They will be going home tomorrow via UPS.

My newest shoe adventure will involve these:

New Balance WR769KM- in Lace Up for the Cure Pink

These are not only super cute, part of the cost of these shoes goes to the Komen Race for a Cure Foundation. They also have great reviews, especially in the areas that are of most concern to me- cushion, flexibility, and stability.

I'm expecting Mr. UPS to drop these off tomorrow (OnlineShoes is offering 2nd Day Air at the amazing rate of $5.99 right now!). I can't wait to see how these work out. Hopefully they will.

I'm like a kid in a candy store when it's time to get new running shoes!

Running Groups
I'm considering signing up with a running group in January. I was in one when I was training for the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon but didn't sign up again after that.

I liked my running group... sort of. I didn't really bond with anyone in the group and it didn't feel very friendly. I did like the accountability and the planned runs, however, and I think I need this again.

I'm looking into a few options, including the group a few of you already are a part of (San Diego Track Club). I'll need to decide soon since many groups start sign-ups in January.

Are you in a group? Have you been in a group? What do/did you like best about your running group?

Coming up
I had planned on picking your brains regarding Chi Running but this post is already too long. So, I'll save it for the next post. If you don't know what Chi Running is, here is a link to the Chi Running website: ChiRunning.

Runny and Running

2009-12-20T21:14:00.000-08:00

I just read this post in its entirety... I apologize in advance for its negative, complainy tone. It's the sinus infection/headache talking. I don't like much of anything when I have a sinus infection. So, please keep that in mind while reading it and expect a more positive post in the near future! :)

I Just Had to!

I know I said I wasn't going to do a trail run on Saturday. But I did. I just couldn't get myself motivated to do a street run. So, I headed out to my favorite trail along Lake Hodges and made a point to keep my feet from doing the slipping thing I mentioned in my last post. Which, by the way, I think was only happening in my new Saucony shoes (I sent those back to onlineshoes.com last week because they hurt my feet).

It's Not Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas

I love being out in nature. My only regret is that I didn't start out earlier. It was HOT yesterday! It felt like early summer in San Diego County. I know a few of you reading this had several inches of snow dumped on you this weekend. Some of you probably wish it would feel like summer where you are. Well, you can have it! After my run --which turned into more of a nature walk-- I got into my car and noticed that the outside temperature was reading at 95 degrees.

That reading was higher than the real temperature because the van had been sitting on the hot asphalt while I ran/nature walked. I'm pretty sure the real temperature was closer to 90 degrees... but you get the idea. It was HOT!

The Heel Saga Continues

My heel has been feeling better since my cortisone shot on Friday. But it still hurts. I'm getting frustrated and discouraged about this. Usually, my heel & foot feel OK while I'm running... it's after the run when it really hurts. I should probably be better about icing it after I run.

Back to my Run
My trail run didn't go as well as I had hoped. I had decided ahead of time to follow the Galloway model of run/walking at a ratio of 5:2 (five minutes running and then two minutes walking). I am hoping that Galloway might help keep me injury-free during my longer runs. This method worked well until about mile two. My body was not happy with me for making it run in the heat... especially since it is still doing battle with this darned sinus infection.

I was having a hard time breathing. I probably sounded like a wheezing old lady rushing to the liquor store for a pack of cigarettes. And since I've never mastered the fine art of blowing snot rockets, it wasn't pleasant.

After mile two, I threw in the towel and enjoyed a nature walk back to my car. The temperature was much more tolerable when I wasn't trying to run. There were lots of people out on the trail. I enjoyed seeing dads biking with their kids, people walking dogs, and the occasional hot, sweaty runner.

Tomorrow morning (early) I am hitting the streets again. Since it is Christmas break I don't have to work. I don't have to rush kids to school. I won't have to deal with the traffic from other parents rushing their kids to school. It should be nice.

Except for this sinus infection... if only I could learn how to blow those snot rockets!!

Hooray for the Weekend!

2009-12-18T22:51:00.000-08:00

Friday
This is the day I got my cortisone shot in my heel. It hurt a little this time (as opposed to last time). I'm hoping that means the doctor got that needle and its wonderful anti-inflammatory concoction in the right place.

Saturday
I'm taking my heel with me on a run tomorrow morning so I'll let you know how it does. I'm not convinced it will be all better but as long as I can run, I'll be happy.

To Trail or Not to Trail
I initially wanted to do a trail run tomorrow but I'm wondering if it would be best to stick to the roads for a little while. I notice that my foot slides a bit on the "push off" when I run on dirt. I'm not sure how great that is on my heel.

Well, that's all for tonight! I've had fun catching up on some of your blogs. I've been out of Bloggyland for a few days (Christmas shopping) and I apologize if I've missed anything important. I'm trying to keep up with everyone... even if I don't leave a comment.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Last Chance- 2009

2009-12-14T18:17:00.000-08:00

I found a new 5K to do. This will be my last chance to redeem myself in 2009! Anyone interested in joining me?

This race takes place just prior to the start of the Holiday Bowl Parade. Here are descriptions of the run, found on the event's website.

"The 15th Annual Bumble Bee 5K Run will take place on the corner of Harbor Drive and Ash St. and finishes near Tuna Harbor Park. Athletes will run past 100,000 spectators. Runners, families and spectators can watch the remainder of the parade that features colorful floats, bands and huge inflatable characters."

Beautiful Waterfront Course...
The race begins at the corner of Harbor Dr. & Ash St. and heads south on Harbor Drive to 8th St., behind the San Diego Convention Center. It continues north along the marina walkway making a loop through Embarcadero Park N., finishing on the walkway just past G Street in time to catch the first band and balloons as they parade by.

Fun at the Finish
Party after the race! Join us for the post-race party near Tuna Harbor Park. There will be live music, and lots of extra munchies including muffins, bagels, juice, fresh fruit and much more! You can also watch the remainder of the parade that features colorful floats, bands and huge inflatable characters.

Holiday Bowl 5K | San Diego, California 92101 | Wednesday, December 30, 2009 @ 9:45 AM

Reader Discretion Advised due to Adult Language

2009-12-13T21:35:00.000-08:00

The Jingle Bell 5K was tons of fun! I had the perfect running partner, one of my favorite San Diego attractions as a backdrop, no rain, and a ~~personal record~~!

My Running Buddy
Bonnie turned out to be an awesome running buddy. She is a faster runner than me (but then, who isn't?!) but she was kind enough to stay at my pace for most of the race. Bonnie finished the Las Vegas marathon the week before so she said she didn't mind an easy pace. Let me clarify- an easy pace for her... not me!

She didn't try to get me to talk. I explained to her that I hate talking while I run and she was so cool about that! She didn't ask me questions or say anything that required a response. I like to talk when I'm not running... but when I'm running, talking is not fun because I can't breath. I like breathing better than I like talking.

Balboa Park
The entire race took place in Balboa Park. I love Balboa Park! If you've been there, you know why. The place has beautiful trees, amazing architecture, and a peaceful atmosphere. If you ever come to San Diego, you have to go to Balboa Park! The San Diego Zoo is located here and there are lots of wonderful museums to visit.

A Break in the Rain
When the alarm went off at 5:15 on Saturday morning, I could hear the rain pouring down on our roof and patio. I love rain but I find it difficult to get out of my nice, warm, cozy bed when it's cold and wet outside. I forced myself to get up and get ready.

I wasn't worried about running in the rain. I was worried about waiting in the rain. Bonnie and I had planned on arriving around 6:45 in order to get parking and have time to get our bibs & stuff before the 8:15 start. I was worried that we would have to stand around for an hour and a half, shivering in the rain. Thankfully, the rain took a little break which perfectly coincided with the morning registration, packet pick-up, and the race itself!

~~A Personal Record for Me~~
This was my second 5K. My first was the Carlsbad 5000 back in April. At that time, I was dealing with painful knee issues and the race was a struggle. In addition, it was very warm on the day of the Carlsbad 5000. These factors, combined with still being very much a running newbie, made my first 5K very easy to beat in terms of finishing time.

WHAT?!! Not a Personal Record?!
I was writing the above when I decided to read my blog about the Carlsbad 5000 because I was unsure of my time. Turns out I ran the Carlsbad 5000 in a shorter amount of time than the Jingle Bell 5K!! UGH!! The Carlsbad 5000 was 38 minutes 11 seconds. According to Rudolph-the-Red-Faced Garmin, the Jingle Bell was 39 minutes 12 seconds. A minute longer. Grrrrr...

Please enjoy this little distraction while I go throw myself a hissy-fitty, pity party. I'll be back momentarily.

@%&$!! @&%&**@!! &^%$&@#!??!

Still not ready... enjoy this one for a while:

@%&$!! @&%&**@!! &^%$&@#!??! &*&@@-- awwwwww...

Alright, I think I'm ready to continue. It's amazing how much an adorable, smiling, golden retriever puppy can change one's mood.

What the Heel?
I'll blame this failure to PR on my bad heel. I'm going to get my cortisone shot on Friday and I'm going to find a new 5K to run. I will run it faster than my Jingly Failure on Saturday. I will, dang it!

Ho-Ho-Ho, I'm Slow-Slow-Slow
Anyway, I got to meet Santa. I didn't get to do that at the Carlsbad 5000.

That's Bonnie wearing the #1122 Bib. I told you she's adorable!

Rain or Shine, It's On!

2009-12-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

I did it! I am officially registered for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5K. I even found someone cool enough to be a dork with me! Her name is Bonnie and she just did the Las Vegas Marathon.

It's funny how I met Bonnie: Last school year, my son was one of the Students of the Month at his school. Like any proud mommy, I took pictures and posted them on Facebook. The next day, I got a FB message from someone who pointed out that her son was in one of the pictures I took.

That someone was Bonnie and her son was a Student of the Month, also. Turns out we have a mutual friend who commented on my picture and Bonnie was able to see the picture because it was on our mutual friend's wall. At first I was worried that she was upset that her son's picture was on a social networking site (you never know if someone is in the Witness Protection Program, after all). Thankfully, she didn't mind at all but noticed that I run. And she runs. Our sons are in the same grade at the same school, although they aren't in the same class.

We've been Facebook friends ever since and I even see her at school sometimes. Even though Bonnie just finished a marathon, she is planning on doing the Jingle Bell 5K with me! She is even going to dress up (she's adorable, by the way!). Thanks, Bonnie! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.

A Run in the Rain?
Rumor has it that it is supposed to rain on Saturday. If so, this will be my first rain race. I don't mind running in the rain (the one or two times I have had the opportunity). Who knows? Maybe I'll run faster than usual just to get out of it... and to get an egg nog latte to warm up.

A Week of Rest
I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to take the week off of running because of my heel. I've also taken a week off from any sort of exercise, unfortunately. This is due to being a bit overwhelmed with my new job. Even though I only work part-time, learning the "ropes" at any new job is exhausting for me. By the afternoon, I am ready for bed!

Ah-Choo!
I'm also fighting off a cold. I feel OK... just congested and tired. I've been taking mega doses of vitamin C and trying to take it easy. I can almost hear Mrs. June Cleaver admonishing me, "You have a cold and you're going to run 3.1 miles in the cold and the rain? You'll catch pneumonia!"

I have heard that this is just an old wives' tale. Supposedly there is no real evidence that getting a chill makes you catch a cold... or pneumonia. I happen to be one of those people who don't worry about her kids getting sick just because they insist on wearing flip-flops in the winter. We don't worry about frost-bite here, either, so what heck... flip-flop away!

Sock it to Me!
I still haven't found my beloved Feetures Lite Cushion sock. I have come to terms with the idea that he is never coming back. Click here to read the whole heart-breaking ordeal. I have tried to find a decent substitute sock but have had no success. No other sock hugs and pampers my feet like my Feetures. So, tomorrow I am driving myself down to Road Runner Sports to get some more pairs.

Maybe I should become a Feetures spokes-woman. I'd be in Sock Heaven!

How to Butcher a Fun Christmas Song

2009-12-08T23:04:00.000-08:00

Just hear those shoe bells jingle-ing
Ring ting tingle-ing, too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a 5K together with you

Outside the sun is shining
And no one is whining boo-hoo
Come-on, it's lovely weather
For a 5K together with you

Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up
Let's go
Just go with the flow
I'm running in a 5K and I'm slow

Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, it's grand
Just saying I ran
We're running along with the song
Of a So Cal wintry land

My cheeks are nice and rosy
And sweaty, smelly am I
I'm running in spite of my heel pain
and I'm hoping I don't cry

Let's take the road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a 5K together with you

There's a post-race party in the Park this very day
It'll be a wonderful start to my Saturday
I'll be running the course they've set without a single stop
I don't care if my heel hurts so much I have to hop
Hop! Hop! Hop!

There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy
Knowing that I ran my best and that I didn't die
It would make a fine picture for Runner's World, July
These wonderful things are things we remember all through our lives

Just hear those shoe bells jingle-ing
Ring ting tingle-ing, too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a 5K together with you

Outside the sun is shining
And no one is whining boo-hoo
Come-on, it's lovely weather
For a 5K together with you

It's lovely weather
For a 5K together with you

* My apologies to all those who are musically inclined, for I am not.

Jingle Bell 5K... Balboa Park in San Diego
As you've probably guessed, I plan on running the Jingle Bells 5K. My heel is still a bit sore but I'm taking the week off from running and I'm hoping for the best. I've even picked out what I'm going to wear.

Calling all San Diego Bloggers
I know a lot of you just ran the Vegas Rock 'n Roll Marathon... half or full... but I bet your body would just love for you to do a 5K this weekend! Join me in the Jingle Bells Run/Walk! You are pretty much guaranteed to finish before me!! You know you won't be last! We can dress in Christmassy stuff and have mimosas after the race (gah- that's for you, Cindi!).

I am still hoping to get at least one other person to join me. I want to have fun and dress up a bit. Doing that just isn't as much fun when you're alone. But, if I have to do it alone, I will. And I will have fun!

OK... I'm done begging. I'm used to looking like a dork by myself. ~sniff, sniff~

Needle Me, Baby!
I have another cortisone shot scheduled for next Friday. I can't wait! Sick, I know... but I hardly felt the last cortisone shot I had. Maybe I was just being tough because my boys were with me at the doctor's and they were fascinated by the big needle going into my heel. If that's the case, they can come with me every time because the experience was delightful!

HBBC Points for 12/08

Run/Walk= 0
Veggies= 0
Strength= 0
Stretching= 0
Shopping= 100

Running with Rudy

2009-12-06T20:22:00.000-08:00

Sunday with Rudy in the Park
Rudy and I had a good run today. We went five miles on the trails at a local park. The weather was amazing! It was nice and cool and cloudy. Perfect!

There were plenty of hills to remind me that I need to run more hills. There were enough flat areas to remind me that, yes, I can run and breathe at the same time. For the first four miles things were going great! Slow, but great.

A view from one of the hills at Kit Carson Park

Another view from a different hill
I was trying to get a picture of this hill because it was very steep.
You can't really tell from this photo, though.

I decided I would push myself for the last mile in order to bring my average pace down. Or is it up? Anyway, I wanted to go faster. Rudy was reliable and let me know when I hit the four mile mark. I picked up the pace and my plan was working well. Until mile 4.1, when my fussy heel decided to pitch a fit.

Ow!! My heel never feels pain-free but usually it is a low-grade pain while I run. Not today. Not after four miles. I kept running and even tried to keep my pace up but the more I ran, the more my heel hurt. I finished up my five-miler with a "rump". Rump is a word I came up with today to describe my running limp. Or is it a limping run? Anyway, I haven't looked that pathetic since struggling with my bum knee while training for the marathon.

I gave my foot an ice bath when I got home. I took my Naproxen. It still hurts.

I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow to see if I'm eligible to get another cortisone shot. I don't know if there is a limit to the number of cortisone shots one is allowed to receive in a certain period of time. Maybe I should ask him to put several shots in my foot until it's numb. As long as I don't grow hair on my chest from the steroids, I'll get as many shots as I need to take away this heel spur pain.

More about why I Love Rudy
If you missed my last couple posts, I better clarify that Rudy is my Garmin Forerunner 305. I named him Rudy (short for Rudolph, as in the Red Nosed Reindeer). Prior to last week, I ran blindly... never knowing how fast or how far. True, I could map my route on Daily Mile. As great as Daily Mile is, it's hard to map runs on trails. Also, it was always a surprise when I got home and discovered that I ran more slowly than it felt.

Rudy has changed all that. I know when to start and stop. I know when I need to work on my speed. Rudy inspires me to run faster, stronger, better than I had before. I'm so glad Rudy found his way into my heart... via Amazon and the UPS guy.

Jingle All the Way
I'm pretty sure I'm going to sign up for the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis 5K. It's taking place on Saturday and sounds like so much fun! I love the idea of running with bells on my shoes. I'm going to see if I can get that cortisone shot this week. If so, I'll sign up for sure. If not, I'll have to see how my heel feels.

Any of you San Diego Bloggers doing this 5K? If you're not signed up- sign up!! I want to get dressed up and run with other goofy people.

HBBC Points for 12/06
Running: 5

Rookie LOVES Rudy!

2009-12-06T12:02:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to post about my first run with my new partner, Rudy. I've been working on changing my blogger layout and haven't gotten to it.

So, really quick...

I AM IN
L-O-V-E!

Why?
Well, I'll save that for later today. I've got to get ready to do a five miler (with Rudy, of course). I don't usually run on Sundays but the weather is too perfect to pass up today- cloudy and cool. We are supposed to get pummeled with rain starting tomorrow (I hope, I hope) so I better get out while I can.

Don't want Rudy to get too wet.

The Good, the Bad, and the Smelly

2009-12-01T20:10:00.000-08:00

Duck!! Here come the bullets!
Bullet points, that is...

The Good

I had a wonderful run this morning
It was very chilly out (33 degrees) when I ran
I got my Garmin 305 today!!
I start my new job as a preschool teacher tomorrow
I survived three hours of "Job Safety, Chemical Hazards, and Sexual Harassment" videos as part of my job orientation
I used an hour of that time to stretch my muscles (I had a big, carpeted room all to myself)
I ordered a new pair of Saucony running shoes from Online Shoes*

The Bad

I ate horribly today!
It was still dark out when I set off on my run
I did something funky to my hip muscle and it hurts
I thought I was running three miles this morning but it was really only 2.5 (but now that I have my Garmin, there should be no more mileage surprises)

The Smelly

One nice thing about running early in the morning are the smells. The fresh, crisp air this morning accentuated the smell the California Sage Brush, the smell of manure from the small neighborhood ranches, and the occasional scent of someone burning wood in their fireplace... ahhh, love it!
Have you ever accidentally cooked cat food in the microwave? I was trying to defrost the kitty's frozen meat/veggie food but set it on high. While it smells tons better than canned cat food, it's not a pleasant odor. Especially when cooked on high in the microwave. I thought I was going to see my breakfast again, and almost did three times!

*If you feel comfortable enough to buy a pair of shoes you haven't tried on, Online Shoes is awesome and they have an amazing return policy... just in case.

Advice Needed

I need your advice again, running blogger friends. I mentioned in a previous blog that I'd feel better about running trails if I had a dog to run with. Many of you agreed. The problem is, we don't have a dog and never will. Unfortunately, Guitar Hero doesn't like dogs.

My parents have two dogs who could really use the attention and outside time. My dad has been unable to take them out due to all his serious medical issues. My stepmom is overwhelmed with work and with taking care of my dad. So, basically the dogs are loved but have been confined to my parents' backyard for nearly a year.

I'm not really familiar with their dogs because they've always been outside when I've gone over. I've also shied away from them because they are pretty big and barky. They are nice dogs, though, and are very sweet with my boys.

I'd like some advice regarding how to run with a dog. For example:

What kind of leash is best?
What if it wants to chase a bunny?
How do you keep it from fighting with other dogs?
How do you maintain your pace with a dog on the end of the leash?
What else would I need to know?
What if this happens:

Yep, I made this masterpiece! I figure it's been a while since I created a piece of art for my Running Blogger Friends. I've gotten better since my recreation of the Cytomax Incident.
I think.

HBBC Points for 11/30 & 12/1:

Strength & Stretch= 4
Fruits/Veggies= 2
Running/Walking= 3

Total: 9

Rudy

2009-11-29T21:36:00.000-08:00

I ordered it!!

Thanks for all the Garmin advice! Santa is coming early this year and he'll be arriving in a brown truck, most likely on Wednesday or Thursday.

I think I'm going to call* my new running partner Rudolph: He's red, will guide me on my runs (fog, or no fog), and the name is appropriate for the season. I'll call him Rudy for short.

*I got the idea to name my Garmin from Irene over at Magazine Smiles. Her Garmin is a girl but I guess mine will be a boy. Maybe if they get together, they can make little Garmin babies. What do you get when you cross a 305 with a 405?

HELP!! Garmin Advice

2009-11-29T17:21:00.000-08:00

Hey, Running Blogger Friends!

I decided for Santa that he is going to bring me a Garmin for Christmas. I'm looking at the Garmin Forerunner 305 on Amazon.com. The price is better than I expected and it has great reviews. I put it in my shopping cart but don't want to click "checkout" until I find out what you think.

So, those of you who have this watch or know someone who does, please let me know what you think.

Thanks! I appreciate your input!

What a Difference!

2009-11-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

What a Difference in Weather

Three days ago, it was hot & sunny here. I ran in shorts and short sleeves... and I was still too hot! Today, the weather was completely different. It's been raining, hailing, and is a bit chilly. And I love it!

The rain almost kept me from my scheduled 5-mile run today. By the afternoon, however, I had cabin fever and decided that the rain wasn't going to keep me from the trail run I had been looking forward to. What motivated me even more was Ann's post at Run DMZ about the very area where I was planning to run. Thanks, Ann!

What a Difference in my Run

Today's run was so different in every way from the last two runs I did. My calf felt fine. I wasn't too hot. I wasn't scared. It was so much fun! In short, I loved today's run. I felt great and must have had a big grin on my face the entire time. Even when it started to sprinkle on me, I just kept running and smiling.

What a Difference a Trail Makes

I absolutely love running on trails. I feel like I'm in my element when I'm out in nature, feet pounding on dirt instead of pavement. I ran on wide trails and narrow trails, steep trails and level trails. I even attempted to run on an impassable trail.

Wide trail

Narrow Trail

Impassable Trail
In the past, I've been able to cross here by stepping on stones. The rain made this brook a little too deep and wide to cross.

What a Difference a Drought Makes

Less than a year ago, Lake Hodges was... well, a lake! Now it looks more like a big puddle. The area is still beautiful because the landscape is green, thanks to years and years of being covered in water.

Compare this photo with the one at the top of my blog. It's not the same location (thanks to the impassable trail) but maybe you can get a perspective of how little water there is compared to last spring.

It really makes me sad. Several years ago, we had a wonderfully wet El Nino winter. The water level was so high that the dam on the west side of the lake overflowed, pouring water into the river valley below. People used to use Lake Hodges for fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, and boating. I hope and pray we get another wet winter soon! I miss my lake.

What a Difference Hope Makes

These days, a rainbow means different things to different people. To me, a rainbow reminds me of God's promise to Noah to never flood the earth again. While I try to tell God a little flooding in all the right places would be a good thing, I think the point of God's promise was that He loves all of us and promises to take care of us. Life isn't always perfect but there is always hope. So, what a wonderful thing it was to be reminded of this when I saw this at the end of my fantastic run:

What a perfect end to a perfectly lovely run!

Want More?
If you want to see more pictures of the Lake Hodges area and of the new footbridge I got to run across today, check out Ann's blog! She is a local blogger friend I've never met but since we seem to haunt the same areas, I think we'll have to change that. She is recovering from an injury so I figure if she walks and I run, I might be able to keep up with her!! What do you think, Ann? :)

_________________________________________________

HBBC Points for 11/28

Run/Walk: 4
Fruits/Veggies: UGH!!!!!

Rhetorical Questions & Useless Information

2009-11-27T20:32:00.000-08:00

Mule Hill, Round II

On Wednesday I did it. I went back to Mule Hill and ran it. OK, OK... it turns out I mostly ran it. As I was (mostly) running, I was thinking up a way to blog my run. My Mule Hill Come-Back. I was trying to come up with a great one... one that would bring sponsors, test products, cool gear for give-aways...

I tried, but all I've got for you are the same questions I asked myself along the way.

Rhetorical Questions
Don't worry about answering these... unless you really want to.

My Running Thoughts...

Why are there so few people on the trail the day before Thanksgiving?
Why is it nearly 80 degrees out on the day before Thanksgiving?
Why can't I have one of those bodies that allows me to pull off running in just a cute little sports bra? With shorts, of course!
Why didn't I get up earlier to do this run?
How am I going to know how far I've run since there aren't any mile markers on this trail?
Why didn't I buy a Garmin when I had the money?
Would I feel safer running out in the middle of nowhere if I had a dog to run with?
Why aren't there more people on this darn trail?
Horses can read... who knew?!

Camera phone picture... put on your sunglasses, it helps

Will anyone hear me scream if I get attacked out here?
Why didn't I bring my pepper spray?
How did the firetrucks get out here during the big Firestorm of 2007?
Didn't that sign at the park entrance say something about mountain lions?
What the heck? Is that a lake?

This is what I saw as I crested the top of Mule Hill... a view of the San Pasqual Valley agriculture area.
Turns out the "lake" was a crop that was covered up with some sort of reflective white cloth.

How far have I run?
Why is it so stinkin' hot?
Why can't I move to Washington?
Would a Golden Retriever scare off a potential attacker?
Where should I turn around?
Should I ask Santa for a Garmin?
If I turn around at that funny tree, will I be able to identify it on the satellite map on Daily Mile?
Where are all those smart, literate horses?
How could I have mistaken that for a lake?
Who is that teenage boy? Who are all his friends? Where were they when I was all alone on the trail?
Do they think I'm some old lady about to keel over because I'm so red and sweaty?
Why is it so hot?
Is that man running shirtless?
Where was he when I was spooked on that back trail?
What if the shirtless guy is a serial killer?
Is that the end of the trail?
How far did I go?

Useless Information

They call it Mule Hill because during the Mexican-American War, much of which took place in this area, the American troops got low on food and had to eat their mules.

This is what a golf ball looks like after it's been through a California wildfire:

There is a driving range near Mule Hill. This area was hit hard by the 2007 Wild Fires. The brown thing on top of the white golf ball is a mostly-melted golf ball... a victim of the Wild Fires, I'm guessing.

Mule Hill Summary

In case you didn't notice, it was too warm for my comfort on Wednesday. I don't like to run when it's warm. I think the run would have been more enjoyable if it weren't so hot!

I like the trail but most of the trail is in the middle of nowhere. For much of the run, I had deserted farmland on one side and dense brush and trees on the other. Southern California is not known for its lack of crime so I got pretty spooked out there. My mind kept replaying old "America's Most Wanted" episodes.

In terms of scenery, the area has its own beauty. Right now, the area is extremely dry and brown, however. It will be gorgeous in the spring, when it is green and the wild flowers are in bloom. Here is how it looks right now:

Is it any wonder how a single spark can set off a county-wide wild fire?

I decided that I prefer to run along the trail that is west of the I-15. There is a pretty lake and the trail isn't so isolated. The photo at the top of my blog was taken along this trail. In addition, there are a few mile-markers along the route. On the down-side, it is more rocky and hilly... but I'll take that over the loneliness of the Mule Hill trail.

I think I was able to figure out my mileage using Daily Mile's satellite map. Based on recognizing the area's landmarks, I estimate I went almost 5 miles. I ended up walking more of it than I wanted because of the heat and my sore calf.

I was only supposed to go 3 miles but I figured I'd be happy if I ended up doing more since I missed Saturday's "long" run and Monday's short run. I was tired but it felt wonderful to get out there and work my muscles!

Tomorrow I hope to get in a trail run along the lake. It's supposed to rain, so we'll see. I don't want to run in mud. We need rain, so I'll gladly sacrifice my trail run for some of the wet stuff!

Thankful

2009-11-25T22:55:00.000-08:00

This has been a busy day! And based on what I've been reading, you are all busy too. In spite of all this craziness- and following the example of so many other bloggers- I want to take a few minutes to share what I'm thankful for:

Life in General:

My husband: He really is a great guy!
My boys: They are the best!
My home: It's small but I love it.
My church: It's casual, welcoming, and filled with fun people.
My neighborhood: I love the hills behind my house!
My new job: I love that my schedule won't take me away from my kids. I think it'll be fun and the extra paycheck will be very welcome.
Health: What a blessing that my boys and family are healthy!

Running:

I got to run today!!
Less pain in my heel
Less pain in my calf
The weather here... which allows me to run outside year-round
My Blogger friends... sounds cheesy but it's true. You help keep me motivated!
My cute little socks
Sunscreen
Lip Balm
My iPod

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I've been reading your blogs... I just haven't had much time to leave comments. Enjoy your day tomorrow (or today?). I hope it's filled with love, family, fun, and good food!

__________________________________________________

HBBC Points for 11/25:

Walking: 2
Running: 3
Veggies/Fruit: Ooops!

Blissful Ignorance

2009-11-24T20:28:00.000-08:00

Calorie Counting

Yep, that's what I'm doing these days. I like it better when I don't know how many calories are in my favorite treats. For example, my beloved Eggnog Latte from Starbuck's is 470 calories. And that's just the Grande size! Before I knew that little fact, I would tell myself that it couldn't be too bad.

POP!

That's the sound of my blissful bubble of ignorance bursting.

Chocolate Covered Candy Cane Jo-Jos from Trader Joe's:

POP!

One cookie has 150 calories! I ate four of them on Sunday. Before I bothered to check.

I could go on and on but the sound of popping bubbles is giving me a headache. Alas*, it's good to know these things. I watched School House Rock when I was a kid, and they told me that knowledge is power. It has to be true.

"Conjunction-Junction, what's your function?" Ahhhh... those were the days!

In Other News...

Tomorrow I am taking on Mule Hill again. My calf feels a little better and I'm hoping it will hang in there for my run. I took my boys on a "hike" there this afternoon (it's amazing how crazy house-bound boys can make me!). I loved it more than they did but it did its job tiring them out. I also got to take more pictures... with my big girl camera. I'll post them after I run it (hopefully tomorrow).

New Blogger Look

Some of you have made comments about the new look for my blog. Thanks for the kind remarks! Bethany from Our Love on the Run** wanted to know if the picture at the top is of a trail where I get to run. The answer is, yes... but not as often as I would like. In fact, that trail is across the I-15 from the Mule Hill Trail. If you're local or if you ever come to San Diego, you've got to check out the San Dieguito River Park .

I love nature!!

*"Alas"... I must have picked that one up from some Jane Austin novel, or something.

**Check out Bethany's blog... she and her fiance got engaged at the 2009 Boston Marathon... how cool is that??!!

Tomorrow is Day 3 of the Holiday Bootie Buster... I hope to be able to add some running points!

HBBC Points

11/23

Strength Training= 2
7 Servings of Fruits/Veggies= 1

11/24

Walking= 3
Fruits/Veggies=1

Grand Total to Date: 7

Battling the Fudge Pudge

2009-11-22T22:06:00.000-08:00

First of all, congratulations to all of you who had races today! I've read so many awesome race reports... even a few Boston Qualifiers!

Thanks for all the advice regarding my calf. It still hurts so I'm going to keep giving it rest and try rolling it with The Stick. Hopefully, I'll be able to get back out there soon! I still don't know what is going on with it but I'm not too worried since I've gone through worse in my short running history.

Meanwhile, I will continue with my strength training. The Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge starts tomorrow and I want to kick butt in this challenge... even if it is just my own. I'm going to need the motivation to keep myself from gaining weight over the holidays. My body just doesn't metabolize like it used to.

So Hard to Say NO
My biggest temptations during this time of year are fudge and Egg Nog Lattes from Starbucks. I don't mean to brag, but I make the best fudge I've ever tasted (I think it's the Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur I put into the mix). I love to make it... and sample it. A lot of it.

The Egg Nog Latte thing... let's just say, it's a good thing they don't make them year-round. I would drink them year-round and I'd probably be 400 lbs by now. Mmmmm...

So, my question for you is:

Which high-calorie holiday food(s) do you find hard to resist? How do you successfully avoid them... or at least eat in moderation?

Good luck to everyone taking on the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge! If you don't know what that is, check it out here. I'm sure it's not too late to sign up!

Mule Hill Trail Heart-Break

2009-11-21T19:17:00.000-08:00

Friday morning I woke up with a mild headache. I popped some ibuprofen and by the afternoon it was mostly gone. Good news, right? I wish! I think it just went away for a little while to gather more troops for its assault on my brain. My mild headache came back as what I can only describe as an I-want-to-rip-my-head-off migraine by 9:00 pm.

After a very restless night of uncomfortable sleep, I woke up Saturday morning with a pain-free head. The headache left its groggy residue on me, though, and I was worried about doing something to trigger it again.

By mid-morning, I felt more confident that my headache was gone for good. I went outside to test the temperature and discovered a glorious, gorgeous, perfect day! I immediately got ready to run.

I had been planning to do my four-miler on a local trail called "Mule Hill Trail". I had always wanted to try it and this was the day! Beautiful weather, awesome trail, no headache... I was sooo looking forward to this.

I took this picture of Mule Hill in March (that's why it's so green).
The picture was taken as I was running on another trail in the San Deguito River Park.

When I got to the San Deguito River Park which is where the trail starts, I sort of felt like I had to use the "facilities". The problem is, this is the only facility.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you probably know I have a Port 'o Potty Phobia. I decided I would rather find a nice quiet bush somewhere further along the trail if I really needed to. So I made my way to the trail entrance.

As always, I started my run with a brisk walk in order to warm up. I was enjoying the sunshine, the calls of the hawks soaring overhead, and looking forward to starting my run. At one point during my warm-up, there was a small incline. As I walked up it, pain shot through my right calf muscle. This is the same calf muscle that felt like it had a knot in it the other day.

I figured the pain would ease as I continued to warm up my muscles. It did, mostly. Until I started to run. As I took my first running step, the pain shot up my calf again. I stopped to stretch and massage it. I tried running again, and it still hurt. I tried to keep running, hoping it would work itself out. It didn't. It only felt worse. I tried more stretching and more massaging. Nothing helped.

After a couple more attempts, I reluctantly decided to give up. Ugh! I was so disappointed. I felt like crying but there were too many people on the trail. First, a killer headache (which kept me from doing my strength training on Friday) and then a bad calf!

I think only my running blogger friends can understand why I was broken-hearted.

I want to try it again tomorrow (Sunday) but my calf is still giving me trouble. It feels like somebody took the elasticity out of my calf muscle... as if it can only stretch so far before it wants to stop. The pain happens when I need it to stretch beyond its short range.

Any ideas what this could be? I thought it was just a knot before today... now I'm not sure. Any suggestions as to how to fix it?

Ending On Happy Notes

I officially got the job at my son's preschool! I start on December 1st and am super excited! :)
I made a yummy apple pie tonight
I think I've lost weight because my clothes feel a little looser (which means I have to be careful not to eat too much of that pie!)

Breaks, Brakes and Other Homonyms

2009-11-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

Breaks
I appreciate all your bloggy input regarding my new training schedule! A lot of you affirmed my decision to modify my schedule to one less running day per week. It seems weird to run only three days a week while training for a longish race... but I know my body will appreciate the break!

Brakes
The stupid brakes in our Nissan Quest (minivan) decided to start grinding this weekend. At least that's how it feels. The last time this happened, we ended up having to replace all the brakes and brake-parts. The part that makes me mad is that we did all this work less than two years and 20,000 miles ago. There goes another chunk of money out the door. Grrrr...

The good news is, my husband is going to take the van into the dealership and ride his bike to work from there. I was not looking forward to sitting at the dealership all morning, while the service department checked and replaced brakes that should not need to be replaced already. It also means I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to get in my run for tomorrow. Yipee!

Weak & Week
I did my four mile run on Saturday morning. I don't know what it was, but it was tough! My legs felt stiff and weak. I wasn't expecting this at all since it was "only" four miles. I guess some days are like that. It probably had to do with the strength training I've been doing... and that I had not run for about a week prior. I'm sure it will get easier after being more consistent with the running and muscle strengthening.

Weight & Wait
Back in January, when I was training for my marathon, I initially lost a few pounds. A couple months later, I noticed I was heavier than before I started running. At the time, I figured it was because I got used to eating a runners' diet and then had to take an unplanned, unwanted two months off of training due to injuries. I blamed the weight gain on having to wait around while my body healed.

Lately, I've read more and more accounts of people who claim to have gained weight during training. So, my question is this: Have you/did you gain weight while training for a race? If so, why do you think that happened? If not, what do you think you did differently than others?

I'm curious because I really want to lose weight while I get ready for this half-marathon, not gain it. What are your thoughts?

Knot & Not
I have a knot in my calf muscle that has been there since last Tuesday. It's not as painful as it was but it's still there. Is it true that dehydration can contribute to muscle tightness? I think I got dehydrated in Vegas but I've been trying to be good about drinking water.

But & Butt
OK, there's no real reason to use those two words. I'm just reliving my life as a third grade teacher. While teaching homonyms, those two inevitably came up (from the students, of course). Just goes to show, you can take the teacher out of the classroom but you can't take the classroom out of the teacher.

Bye, my running blogger friends! Thanks for stopping by. Wow! I'm on a roll tonight!

My Running Shoes Behave

2009-11-13T19:19:00.000-08:00

Today's Training:
30 Minutes Cross-Training
Bike Riding 5.4 Miles

My Modified Hal Higdon Half-Marathon Training Plan

OK... here it is, in all its color-coded glory

I call it modified because I opted to have one less running day each week on my schedule. After the way my body rebelled during my marathon training, I do NOT want to overdo it again. I also added an extra day of strengthening and stretching. My target areas to strengthen are my legs, arms, and core. I have three reasons for this:

To look good in my Running Skirt (vanity, pure & simple)
To be able to run faster and better
To prevent injuries, especially to my knees

I'm sure many of you more experienced runners notice that I don't have any fancy running tricks on my schedule such as Fartleks, hill repeats, numbers X more numbers, and so on. To be honest, those things scare me... they seem so unrookie-like. I plan on incorporating speed work and Fartleks and maybe even some hill repeats as I become more confident with my training schedule. But I'm not going to jump into fancy foot-work right away.

Back in the Saddle
Well, not really a saddle... more like a bike seat. I went bike riding today to cross-train. It's been a while since I rode my bike. I'm not a huge fan of the bike... especially since my bike needs a tune-up and my pseudo-rural neighborhood doesn't seem to believe in bike paths.

It did feel good to ride my bike again. I didn't ride very far since I was only scheduled to cross-train for 30 minutes but I felt like I got a good workout. That's mostly because I kept the bike in thigh-burner gear. Not because I'm tough but because I still don't get the whole gear thing and also because the chain is more inclined to fall off or jam when I change gears.

Running:1 Biking: 0
Just an observation: My shoes never fall off when I switch gears from fast to slow & slow to fast while running.

Next Up
Tomorrow I will run four miles because that is what my good buddy, Hal, says to do.

High-Five Friday

Here's one for Tall Mom on the Run... She spent the day taking care of her vomiting husband. Good job and stay healthy, girl! I hope your hubby is feeling better.

Michelle at LetsRollMama gets one for being sort of new to the Running Blogger World. Check out her blog! She is sure to put a smile on your face, especially if you are a running mom.

Another new blogger to me is Tricia at Endurance Isn't Only Physical. She gets a high-five this Veteran's Day week for being a being a proud wife of an active-duty army man. Thanks for your sacrifice, Tricia... and thanks to your husband! If you haven't checked out her blog, do it! She's an inspiration.

Happy Friday, Running Blogger Friends!

Super-Quick Post (Really!)

2009-11-12T23:48:00.000-08:00

I don't have much time to write tonight. This has been a super busy day! I just wanted to let everyone know that I started a training program for my half marathon in February. I'll show it off tomorrow.... it's even color-coded!

Technically, I should have started the training last Sunday but I was too busy causing bodily damage to myself in Vegas. And then it took a couple days to recover. So, today was the day.

Here's what I did:

45 minutes of strength training
15 minutes of stretching

Tomorrow (Friday) is a cross-training day. I'm going to ride my bike, even though the darn chain keeps falling off. We plan get the bike into the shop for a tune-up so, hopefully, that will soon be a thing of the past.

There you go... short and sweet, as promised!

Happy Friday, Bloggers!

What-Does-That-Have-To-Do-With-Running? Wednesday

2009-11-11T20:51:00.000-08:00

How do you like my random, inconsistent blog themes? I doubt by next Wednesday I will remember that I created "What-Does-That-Have-To-Do-With-Running? Wednesday". I'll probably be on some other weekday related kick. It's how I keep life interesting. Plus, I'm forgetful... so it works for me.

Now for the nonrunning-related blog stuff:

It Looks Like Good News
It looks like I have a job! I've been sort of looking since August but have found very few opportunities that fit into my Mommy Schedule. Honestly, I don't know how working moms juggle it all!

I got a call yesterday from the director of my son's preschool and I sensed right away what the purpose of the call was. I had mentioned a few months ago that I would be interested in applying to work at the preschool should the opportunity arise. Well, apparently the need has risen and the director wants me to fill it!

The problem is, I'm both overqualified and underqualified. I'm licensed by the state of California to teach Kindergarten through eighth grade. Preschool teaching is a whole other ball of wax. You don't need nearly as much education to be a preschool teacher... but in order to work in a preschool, state law requires you to have at least six units of Child Development. If you want to be a lead preschool teacher you need several more units.

I only have three units of Child Development (taken almost 20 years ago!) but I'm allowed to work if I am enrolled in classes. I will pretty much be the assistant to the lead preschool teacher. I'm happy with that, I don't want the responsibility of being the teacher. I've seen preschool teachers at work... and I believe they are truly overworked and underpaid! Even more so than elementary school teachers.

So, guess who's going back to school? Me! I plan to enroll in an online child development course through a local community college. I also need to get recertified in CPR and First Aid. I sort of like school so I don't mind the whole college thing. And CPR/First Aid is just something everyone should know.

I don't even know what the pay will be... but I don't care. Fortunately, we are not hurting for money right now. With that said, it will be nice to have a little extra to ease the financial strain that most one-income families have to face. The best part is, my work schedule will be the same as my youngest son's schedule. This is what I have been looking, hoping, and praying for.

Here's the Running Connection
Since it's only part-time, I'll have the hours I need to get other stuff done. I will still have time to train for my half marathon and have a way to fund our half-marathon weekend get-away. I will feel less-guilty about purchasing running stuff (I love running "stuff"). I think I will be less lazy since I tend to be happier and more energetic when I have more on my plate. Heck, maybe I'll even get those preschoolers to train for a half-marathon! Yep, right after I purchase my backyard bull.

One Final and Weird Non-Running Fact
The preschool is a church preschool. My church. It's also the church where my husband works. So, in a round-about way, I'll be working with my husband. Sort of. He has nothing to do with the preschool but our paychecks will be cut from the same place. And I will see him at the monthly staff lunches. Just sort of weird to me... but in a cool sort of way.

IF I actually get the job, that is. I'll believe it when I get the official word from the "higher-ups" I'll keep you informed.

What Happens in Vegas...

2009-11-10T19:01:00.000-08:00

It's a LIE!
What happens in Vegas doesn't really stay in Vegas. Especially when it comes to the hefty meals, high-calorie cocktails, and yummy desserts consumed. Those things came home with me... on my butt, waist, and hips.

I had a great time but now I've got some serious damage control to do. I've been heavier than I like to be lately and my poor eating choices in Las Vegas left me feeling like I should try out for next season's Biggest Loser. I need Jillian to yell at me, I think.

The Eight-Second Workout Plan
The Professional Bull Riders World Finals was awesome! This was my third year attending the event and it gets better every year. It is surprisingly exciting to watch someone try to stay on a pissed-off, bucking, 1500 pound bull with a name like "Nasty Town". The riders only have to stay on for eight seconds in order to receive a score... but eight seconds is a looong time and few men make it.

I have to say, those professional bull riders are tough! They are also in amazing shape. I think they all have negative 20% body-fat. And nice, lean muscle. Hmmmm... I think I need a bull of my own. I can keep it in the back yard.

Twelve Week Count Down
I realized today that I only have twelve weeks until the Surf City Half Marathon. It's time to get serious about training and getting in good shape for the race. I'm going to spend the next few days reflecting on my training and race goals. My number one goal for training this time around is to remain injury-free. My number one goal for the race is to do more than "just finish". I'll share any other goals I think of... after I think of them.

Tuesday Night in the Blogger Confessional

2009-11-03T22:46:00.000-08:00

I Confess
Confession can be so good for the soul, so here goes...

I didn't run this morning (boo! hiss! *tomatoes being thrown*). If you read last night's blog, you know I had every intention to run at the crack of dawn. I didn't. Truth is, I went to bed too late. After I signed off of blogger, I started playing Solitaire on my cell phone and couldn't stop until I won ~~one~~... ~~two~~... three games.
I am a sock whore! I just finished packing for Vegas. I swear, I have packed more socks than anyone could EVER possibly need! I don't even think I'll need socks. But I need to pack them, if that makes sense. I L-O-V-E Socks!
I don't really like the girl (Tracey) who got kicked off of The Biggest Loser tonight. However, I almost cried when I got to see her beautiful family. I hardly ever almost cry.
I plan on buying a huge bag of Peanut M&Ms tomorrow for our road trip to Vegas.
I'm really looking forward to playing Solitaire and eating Peanut M&Ms on our way to Vegas. Don't worry, I'm not driving!

Oh, phew! I sure feel better! What a load off of my conscience. Thanks for "listening".

Good night all!

Monkeys and other Monday Minutiae

2009-11-02T20:42:00.000-08:00

Monkeys
I don't normally like monkeys (although, I wouldn't mind my very own marmoset). One monkey, however, has really grown on me since I became a mom. That would be George... you know, the monkey who lives with the Man in the Yellow Hat?

My youngest and I used to watch Curious George faithfully on PBS... until he discovered the nautical nonsense of Sponge Bob, that is. During a brief moment of Spongelessness, we found ourselves watching an episode of Curious George I had never seen before. In this episode, Professor Wiseman (The Man in the Yellow Hat's ambiguous girlfriend?) signed up to participate in a race.

Here's the episode description as found on the PBS website:

Curious George, Personal Trainer

Professor Wiseman is too busy to keep an exercise routine. So when she signs up to run in a fund-raising footrace, she enlists George as her personal trainer to help whip her into shape. George quickly learns there is more to exercising than meets the eye, and teaches Professor Wiseman that the keys to running are stretching, keeping hydrated, staying motivated and pacing yourself.

Very simplified, but not bad for a monkey. Actually, that's probably about as much as I know... what does that say about me? Um, don't answer that.

This episode left me smiling... especially when Professor Wiseman showed George her finisher's medal. Running... it's not just for crazy people, anymore. It's becoming so main-stream that even monkeys are getting involved!

More Minutiae

I had to look up that word (minutiae) to make sure I spelled it correctly. I didn't.
My allergies are horrible right now... as a result, I'm grumpy and didn't do any running or cross-training today.
On Thursday, I'm going on a girls-only long weekend in Vegas. Woo-hoo!
My party-buddy, Canadian cousin isn't going this year... I have a feeling I'll be blogging a lot.
Less than fifteen years ago I was wearing a size 2 in clothes from the Gap... I swear they changed the sizes so that they run smaller... much, much smaller. Grrrr...
My post-babies, nearing-forty body sometimes frustrates me.
I like that it's light earlier in the morning now... I plan to run in the morning.
I really like yogadownload.com
Two and a Half Men is a funny show
Meb Keflezighi, the winner of the NYC Marathon, went to high school in San Diego... my husband says there's hope for me yet! Ha. Ha. Ha. Funny guy.

OK... enough ~~minutae~~ minutiae... I better get to bed if I'm going to run in the morning.

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

Apology, High-Fives and Shameless Thievery

2009-10-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

First of all, I want to apologize to everyone... I had no idea my sock had taken over my blog. My sock is a little forward. I don't know what all happens in the secret life of socks, but I think there has been quite a bit of drama going on these past few months in the sock drawer.

My Week in Running
I only ran two days this week. I decided to cut back when I started to feel that familiar pain in my right knee. My knee has been better since before the marathon but as soon as I started to feel the slightest hint of pain on Tuesday, I knew it would be wise to take a break. Instead of running, I've been trying to work strength training and Yoga into my workout routine.

This afternoon, I hit the road again and I'm happy to say, there was no knee pain. My heel felt good, also. The real test for my heel will be how it feels tomorrow.

Peer Pressure
One of the best things about getting back to my blog and my wonderful Running Blogger Friends is how you all motivate me! Honestly, I did not feel like running this afternoon... it was a busy day and I tired. As I was sitting on the couch, catching up on Running Blogs, I suddenly felt like going out for my own run. I didn't want to read about running anymore... I wanted to do it. And I'm so glad I did because it was a great afternoon for a run.

My High-Five Friday
I'm taking an idea from my Running Blogger Friend, Tall Mom on the Run. She gives out virtual high-fives to other runners and bloggers every Friday (hence the name, "High-Five Friday"). Her high-fives go out to those running weekend races, those with great giveaways, and those who inspire her. I am going to put my own spin on High-Five Friday, though... because I am not as organized as Tall Mom.

This Week's High-Fives From ME Go Out To:

Tall Mom on the Run for having a great sense of humor... case in point: She is running a half marathon in a giraffe costume tomorrow. I can't wait to see the pictures of that!
She Wears a Red Sox Cap because she is my hero for wearing her pink pajamas to work.
Running Sane gets a high-five for being able to get three kids to school on time... even though there was no power in the house, no water, a broken windshield wiper, and a raging down-pour to contend with. How the HECK did she manage it?!
High-five to Marathon Man Runs Again because he is running in the NYC Marathon on Sunday. His running and commitment benefits Autism Speaks. What a worthy cause!
Irene over at Magazine Smiles gets a high-five because she can spell words like Ixtapa and Zihuantanejo. She is also a very nice person- I know this because I've met her!

High-fives to ALL you Running Blogger Friends! For those of you doing races, enjoy and be safe!

Happy Halloween to everyone!
(insert subliminal message here: Send me all your little bags of Peanut M&Ms... even if it means stealing them from your children)

Have You Seen My Mate?

2009-10-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hi, all you people out there in Blogland! Sara is busy watching the Office, so I have taken over her blog with an urgent message.

Single White Sock Looking for Mr. Right

I am Sara's sock. I'm not just any old sock, either. I am one half of a pair of Sara's favorite running socks. I am a Feetures Light Cushion Low-Cut. Lately, I've been terribly lonely because my mate has gone missing. My sweet Mr. Right and I have had a wonderful life together. In fact, we were the socks Sara chose to wear for her marathon. We went 26.2 miles together, making sure Sara's sweaty feet were comfortable and happy. It wasn't an easy feat (pun intended- hey, socks can be funny, too) but we did it. Together. And now, Righty is gone.

We have looked all over the house and just can't find him. Maybe the Sock Fairy took him. Maybe he ran off with that little Pink Sock that was always flirting with him... the little tramp! Perhaps he is lost in the mess of socks in the boys' drawers and can't find his way home.

His disappearance has left me heart-broken but I think I am finally ready to move on. I am looking for a new mate.

An Offer You Can't Refuse
I strategically chose today to commandeer Sara's blog page because this is her 100th post!

Yeah, yeah big deal...

I know a lot of bloggers celebrate these types of milestones by having a "Giveaway".

Well, here's the deal:
Sara doesn't know how to get cool companies to give her things that she can offer up as a prizes. She's sort of a loser that way. So, I decided I would offer up myself as the 100th Blog Giveaway. All you have to do to win me is have a mateless, lonely sock of your own (that's one entry), become a follower of my Sara's blog (that's entry number two), and send me a picture of your lonely sock (if he's good-looking, that's 20 entries... if not, it's one).

You see? It's a win-win-win situation! I get a new mate, you win a match for your mateless sock, and Sara gets upgraded to the status of being a Giveaway Blogger!

Not sure if I'm a good match for your sock? Well, here are some of the things I like best:

Rainy nights by the fire
Gritty walks on the beach
Warm bubble baths in the washing machine
Running
Adventure

Uh-oh- I better run now... here comes Sara. I just bet she is going to update her Facebook status for the 20th time today.

So long & good luck!
- Miss Lef T. Sock

We're Going to Surf City

2009-10-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

Gonna Have Some Fun
It seems that lately, a lot of people have been announcing that they've signed up for the Surf City Marathon/Half Marathon. The race isn't until February and I've been signed up since May (it was my Mother's Day gift) so I haven't been giving it a whole lot of thought... until now.

Last night, I figured it would be a good idea to check the website to confirm my registration. Once that was done, I continued to peruse the site. I just have to say, the finishers' medals for the race are so cool!!

I love, love, love these medals!

Another thing I looked at on the website was the hotel listing for the area. I'm glad I did because the rooms near the starting line are selling out fast! The Hilton located right at the start is already sold out. The next best option seemed to be The Shorebreak Hotel since it is only about four blocks from the start. It's a tad expensive and they have a two-night minimum that weekend but it has great reviews so I made reservations there. My husband is coming with me so we decided to splurge and make a fun weekend out of it. We are going up on Saturday and leaving on Monday.

We only live about an hour and a half from Huntington Beach but I do NOT want to get up at three in the morning, risk hitting traffic (yes, even on a Sunday), look for a parking space, register, find a decent port-o-potty, run 13.1 miles, and go home.

Besides, I love going to the expos the day before the race. It's so fun visiting the vendors, getting samples, people watching, and checking out all the cool running gear. If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited about this race.

More Running News
Today I ran about three miles after I dropped my youngest off at preschool. I decided to try a route I mapped out last night near the preschool. I was not familiar with the area, but it looked like a pretty simple loop. I was right about it being simple but I had no idea how hilly it would be. I think the entire loop was uphill! I know that's not possible but it sure felt like it. Over the past few months, my running hasn't been as consistent as I would like and the uphillness of the route really busted my butt! Not literally.

In the spirit of Halloween, here is a picture of a cemetery I ran past this morning.

Boo!

I didn't see any ghosts or zombies. It was actually a pretty, green, shady place. It was getting hot by 9:00 this morning so I was a little tempted to take a nice rest under a tree. I was a little worried someone would mistake me for a dead person and try to put me six feet under. Yes, I looked that bad after all the hils.

Got Pink?
One of my favorite bloggers is tall. She is a mom. She runs. She blogs. She also has an amazing giveaway this week! Tall Mom on the Run is offering the chance to win this beautiful Brooks for Her running jacket:

Brooks created the Brooks For Her (BFH) collection to help support
the fight against breast cancer. For each BFH piece purchased from
March through December 2009, Brooks will donate 6.25%
of the suggested retail price to three organizations that research and
support those affected by breast cancer: The Young Survival Coalition,
Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, and
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, earmarked for
breast cancer research. Your vote, between March 1,
and December 31, 2009, determines how much of the total
donation each group gets.
No purchase necessary to vote. Learn more
about the three selected charities
Learn more about how BFH works
See the Brooks For Her collection

Check out Tall Mom's blog and see how you can enter for a chance to win!

A Love Letter

2009-10-25T14:12:00.000-07:00

Oh, Peanut M&Ms... how I hate to love you!

Back to being "Rookie"

2009-10-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my last blog, I wanted to change my blog name again. As you may have noticed, it's almost the same as the one I started with.

I think I'll always be a rookie runner because there is so much to learn. With all the set-backs I've had in my short running experience, I still haven't done all those mysterious things like Fartleks, Splits, Hill Repeats, etc. that so many of you talk about in your blogs.

I'm OK with being a rookie after all this time. Plus the name is sort of catchy and most of my running blogger friends know me as "Rookie". So, in the long run, that's where I am- still a rookie with lots to learn and many areas in need of improvement.

I have a small part of a song by Rush on my title box. I'm going to put the rest of the lyrics here for you. Why? Well, because Rush is one of the best groups EVER! And because the lyrics are awesome and so relevant to running and life, in general.

Marathon
by Rush

It's not how fast you can go
The force goes into the flow
If you pick up the beat
You can forget about the heat
More than just survival
More than just a flash
More than just a dotted line
More than just a dash

It's a test of ultimate will
The heartbreak climb uphill
Got to pick up the pace
If you want to stay in the race
More than just blind ambition
More than just simple greed
More than just a finish line
Must feed this burning need
In the long run...

From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky

Your meters may overload
You can rest at the side of the road
You can miss a stride
But nobody gets a free ride

More than high performance
More than just a spark
More than just the bottom line
Or a lucky shot in the dark
In the long run...

From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky

You can do a lot in a lifetime
If you don't burn out too fast
You can make the most of the distance
First you need endurance
First you've got to last...

From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light that gets in your eyes
One moment's high, and glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday! My thoughts are with those of you doing races this morning. Good luck!

Run, Fun and Sun

2009-10-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I've written a running blog! I've been able to keep up with a few of you via Facebook but I've been missing my running blogger friends. It's been fun catching up on some of your blogs this evening.

So, what has been up with me these past few months? I'm going to bullet-point my life just to make it less long and boring. Here's what has been going on with me since my last blog (the one titled, "Boobies"):

The pain in my heel turned out to be a bone spur
Had a cortisone shot in my heel
Felt better... but not totally pain-free after running
Our pretty kitty got eaten by a coyote
My dad was readmitted to the hospital one or two times (he IS doing better now)
School started for my second grader
My youngest started preschool
I've been debating about going back to work part-time
I realized how much I want to get out of California and have been looking at homes and jobs in Colorado and North Carolina (jobs for my husband, that is)
I've been bored
Got a new kitten (she's cute but a little stupid... really!)
Been sick ( not H1N1, thank God)
Have come to suspect that my oldest has mild Asperger's Syndrome (observations to confirm suspicion and testing in process)
Been running... in spite of lingering heel pain
Taken lots of naps (I love school/preschool)
Wondering if I should get another cortisone shot in my heel... heck, at this point they can cortisone my whole foot until I can't even feel the ground anymore! Cortisone is my friend.

So that is pretty much it! I wish I could bullet point that I won the lottery.... or even more unlikely, qualified for the Boston Marathon. But no.

What does my future hold?

Well, you never really know... but here are some plans:

I'm still registered for and plan to run the Surf City Half Marathon- can't wait!
I'm going to Vegas in November for the Professional Bull Riders' Association World Finals (this is an annual girls-only getaway & tons of fun)
I need a haircut
I'm looking for a new name for my running blog... I realized tonight that someone else has the same name for their blog
I will be removing the chipped, old toenail polish that has been on my toes since before my last blog post

On a Runner's note, I had a great run this morning! I ran about four miles and it was lovely. I am so fortunate to live in such a pretty area of San Diego County (but I still want to leave). It was sunny but a little cool. I found a couple new trails during my run. It was terrific!

That's all for now. I hope to be able to catch up with you all! I've missed you.

This is our new cute, inside only, kitty. Her name is Cleo.

Boobies

2009-07-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

OK, now that I have your attention:

Visit Tall Mom on the Run's blog to see how you can get in on her Moving Comfort Giveaway!

Even if you're a guy, you can enter for a chance to win. Nothing says, "I love you" like giving the woman in your life a running bra.

Ummm... OK, there are probably better ways but what woman wouldn't want the best running bra available?

I Want to Ride my Bicycle

2009-07-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

I don't believe in Peter Pan
Frankenstein or Superman
All I wanna do is...
Bicycle bicycle bicycle

Guess What? Today I rode my bike. Again. This time I rode almost 12 miles and I so needed it!

As with running, I'm finding that cycling clears my head. Running bounces the thoughts out. Riding blows them out. Sure, they always find me again but usually by the time they do, the dusty layers that distort my perspective have been filtered out.

My booty wasn't as comfy this time. I only have one pair of padded bike shorts and they were dirty from yesterday's ride. At this rate, I may need to get that cute little riding skort! Yep... along with a new bike, some bike shoes, and fingerless gloves. Heck, I might as well add a sponsor to my list of needs!

No snakes today-- dead or alive. I did see an injured crow. I hate crows but I felt bad for it. It looked like its wing was hurt. I realized there was nothing I could do for it, so I wished it well and rode on.

I passed a lot of people out walking their dogs, saw several people taking what looked like family strolls, and even saw an elderly man watering his grass who reminded me of my Grandpa. That made me smile.

I took on a big hill near the end of my ride. I used to run up this same hill. As with when I first started running, it almost conquered me. I showed it that I can also beat it on a bike. Barely. There was much breathing (OK gasping for air), a lot of effort (and I do mean a LOT), and the need to stand on the pedals in order to ~~breeze on~~ weave exhaustedly up it.

All in all, it was an excellent workout!

Bicycle Races Are Coming Your Way
So Forget All Your Duties Oh Yeah!
Fat Bottomed Girls They'll Be Riding Today
So Look Out For Those Beauties Oh Yeah

Strange but classic Lyrics Provided by Queen ~ "Bicycle Race"

Air Conditioning on Wheels

2009-07-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

After having another set-back with my foot last week, I decided (once again) to stay off of it for a while.

My faithful back up? Mr. Bike. Ummm... don't think too much about the whole gender thing I have going for my bike...

Every time I ride my bike, I am reminded of one of the funniest blog posts ever. The blog post to which I am referring is titled Nice Guys and Bad Boys. This post, written by Cindi (a.k.a. Alice) over at HefferBlog, compared running to bike riding. Bike riding is the "Nice Guy" and running is -you guessed it- the "Bad Boy".

I have to agree with Cindi. Bike riding (at least for me in my cautious, inexperienced manner) is the Nice Guy. When I ride my bike, I don't hurt. I do feel my muscles working but my heel doesn't bother for days after a bike ride. When I ride my bike, my knees don't feel like one wrong move will put me out of commission for a while (unless I crash, of course).

Like a girl who is dating two guys at once (by the way, I was never so lucky!), I find myself comparing the two sports and trying to figure out which one is the one for me. Fortunately, I don't have to choose one or the other. I do, however, feel like I need to be more committed to one than the other.

Here is what I like about bike riding:

I love feeling the nice, cool air that blows past me as I ride.
I love being able to go fast(er).
It's fun going down hills!
There are built-in breaks... in other words, there are times when I get to just coast.
I love my butt-cushioned shorts (by Canari)... believe me, these are a MUST if you ride a bike!
It's fun going down hills!
I don't worry as much about being chased down by dogs or coyotes.
I don't fear being yanked into a non-descript windowless, white van... as much.
The bike carries my water bottle, not me.
It's fun going down hills!

Here is what I don't really like:

The gears. I really think I am doing something wrong.
I'm afraid of the cars on the road.
I don't feel like I have as much control... in other words, I have to rely on a contraption that has nothing to protect me from leaving a trail of my skin on the pavement, breaking bones, or hitting my head. And all I have to balance on are 2 two-inch wide spinning circles.
I need both hands to ride, so if I want to take pictures I have to stop. For example, yesterday I ran over a dead snake on my bike. I didn't mean to and I'm glad I'm not the one who killed it... but if I had been running I would have taken a picture to show my Running Blogger Friends. But then, if I had been running, I would not have tread on it.

So, am I "Biker" now? Nah. Will I ever be? Mmmm... never say never, right?

I prefer to think of myself as a runner who also rides a bike. Heck, all I have to do now is start swimming and I can do a triathlon.

Hmmmm...

By the way, these are the Canari shorts I have:

I like them because they are baggy... and baggy is good. They have compression shorts underneath and gel cushions in all the right places.

They also have... ta-da!... riding skorts:

How cute is this? I love my running skirts so I've gotta to get one of these if I'm going to keep riding.

Until next time, my friends! Meanwhile, I'll be catching up on your blogs.

Accidental Speed Work

2009-07-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

Super quick post tonight...

I ran! I ran in Flagstaff, Arizona. Elevation 7,000 feet. I had planned to run two-miles on the hiking trail located on the grounds of our hotel. I ended up doing only 1.5 miles because it was getting dark.

I ran!
I ran FAST! I don't know if they have mountain lions here and it got dark much faster than I expected so I really picked up the pace as I ran along the beautiful forest trail. I found out I can run pretty quickly if I think I might be mauled to death by a forest creature.

I ran!
And my foot didn't hurt. It hurts a little now, after the run, but it's not bad. I think I was smiling for most of the run because it felt so good. I would have smiled the entire time if I had not started to "hear" mountain lions behind every tree I passed.

We are going to be pretty busy tomorrow. We're going to see the Grand Canyon. I'm hoping to get another trail run in on Wednesday... regardless of real and/or imaginary mountain lions!

I'm Still Alive!!

2009-07-08T22:09:00.000-07:00

Yes... you read the title correctly- I am still alive. I just have not been blogging.

Why?

Did I get kidnapped by space aliens? No... at least, not that I remember.

Did I win a billion dollars and decided to travel the world? I wish.

Did I break all my fingers in a freak accident involving an ice cream-maker? Hopefully never.

Did I become addicted to a silly game on FaceBook? Um... no comment.

Have I been in a funk for a few weeks? YES!

Funky Town
I know why I've been in a funk. In general, it has been a tough few weeks. In addition to not being able to run as often or as far as I like, my dad has suffered another stroke (?). The question mark is there because many of his symptoms are stroke-like... although all the tests come back as negative. He is back in a nursing home, receiving care and physical therapy. He has been depressed and I've been very worried about his health and his frame of mind.

Meanwhile, my return to running since the marathon has been slow and inconsistent due to my heel. I'm slowly getting myself back out there. My foot is still hurting me but I think it is gradually getting better.

I have found that running helps to keep me sane. That is one reason why running is so important to me. Take the ability to run away, throw in some very stressful circumstances and you end up with a slightly funky me.

Expanding My Horizons
One thing I like about me is that I can only allow myself to wallow in my self-induced pits for so long. I've been making myself get out there and get exercise and do the stuff I have always loved to do. I have started bike riding on those days that I would normally run. I don't like it as much as running, but biking has its good side. I have also been working on strengthening those areas that have caused running injuries in the past.

I'm Still Wacky
OK... maybe that is stating the obvious... but here's more proof: Today, as I was perusing through my Runner's World magazine, I found myself wanting to do another marathon! What?! I vowed to never do another one of those. Here I am, though, thinking I could do it again. I want to. And I want to do it better, faster, and without injuries! See? Nuts!

Catch-Up
I have SO much catching up to do! I apologize for not keeping up with you, my Running Blogger Friends, as much as I have wanted to. I've missed the running blogger community! I'll be spending time catching up with what has been going on with all of you!

And now, I'm off to bed. I've got to get up early tomorrow to hit the gym. Good-night, you all!

Lazy Slug Award

2009-06-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

And the Lazy Slug Award goes to...

SARA JONES of Running through Life!

Acceptance Speech
"Ohmygosh! Ohmygosh! I- I can't believe it! I don't know what to say except, er... um... thank you?

There are just so many- so many others I'd like to thank for helping me achieve this... this... honor?

First, I'd like to thank my 'right hand man'... Left Foot! I couldn't have done it without you. You've been there for me since before Right Knee Pain left me. Every time the sun comes up, there you are! Your multiple visits with me throughout the day are constant reminders that I can't get out there and run. So, I owe much of my Lazy Slug success to you.

Next, I'd like to thank Sleep Les Ness. Sigh...What can I say about Mr. Ness? You usually travel with others when you come to visit. You especially like to show up with my sons when they sneak into my bed in the middle of the night. Or when they wake up early. Sometimes you even surprise me by showing up when my cat attacks my sleeping feet. Ha ha! You're a funny guy, Sleep Les Ness. Thanks... I couldn't have done it without you.

Oh- and of course there's Miss June Gloom. Heck, who needs sunshine when I've got you to keep me feeling gray?

And who could forget my dear Aunt Flo? Aunt Flo can't be here tonight, as she is off visiting her other nieces at the moment. I'm sure she's hearing this speech somehow, so thank you Aunt Flo... even before you make your appearance you send my bad moods into overdrive and my ambition into underdrive. See you soon, Auntie!

And lastly, I would like to recognize someone I've only recently become acquainted with... Mr. Post-Marathon Blues. Our relationship has been a short one but he sure makes an impression! I spent six months preparing for my big day. The big day came... and went. That's when I met Mr. Blues. I know you won't be around for long, Big Blue- you have to go away as soon as I start training for my next race. I have to say, though, you and all your cohorts mentioned above have done a great job of zapping all the energy and drive from me.

Thank you all, again! I have worked so hard to be recognized for my talent at being a Lazy Slug all week! This award is yours as much as it is mine."

Artist Rendering of The Cytomax Incident

2009-06-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

In my previous blog ... the revised version... I wrote about a runner who carelessly tossed their half-full cup of Cytomax right next to my feet. As a result, I ended up with a wet, yucky shoe for part of the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.

Since lots of us rely on visuals to fully comprehend a point, I sketched out the whole incident for you. Note the lack of about 19,998 other runners... that's because I have a life.

In spite of many missing details, I hope this helps to clarify my point. If you happen to recognize the runner who Cytomaxed me, please let her know that I have no hard feelings toward her. Even though I refer to her as "Evil Runner". And gave her bad hair. And fangs (which are easier to see if you click on the picture).

Copies of the above masterpiece are available for sale.
All proceeds will be donated to the purchase of extra trash bins for next year's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.

Bring Woodsie back! (Revised)

2009-06-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

I am most likely dating myself here, but I can't help but think of Woodsie the Owl for this next blog post.

Like some of you, I grew up with Woodsie's wise admonition, "Give a hoot. Don't pollute!" I practically lived by those words as a child... pollution and litter were BAD! Bad, bad, bad, bad, BAD!

There can be no question that Woodsie's brain-washing techniques worked. At least they worked on me. To this day, I cannot litter. I cannot pollute our land with my trash.

When I find myself considering disposing my trash inappropriately, that owl Woodsie sings to me... speaking words of wisdom,"Give a hoot, don't pollute."

So, my question is this: Where was Woodsie during the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon? We could have used his big-eyed, feathery figure glaring down on those runners who had no problem at all tossing their disgusting trash all over San Diego.

Seriously folks... at every water station there were plenty of waste bins. Many of them unused. Why? Because 76% of the runners ahead of me casually tossed their crap (cups, empty gel packages, Sport Beans bags, etc.) on the ground. Didn't they learn anything from Woodsie?!

I actually ran a couple miles, holding on to a sticky, oozey, near-empty Gu pack because I could not, in good conscience, throw it on the ground to become someone else's problem. As soon as I found a trash can, I threw it away. Easy-peasey!

The worst of the litter bugs were those who ran through neighborhoods, leaving their trash for the kind residents to pick up. A few neighborhoods on the route passed out items like oranges, water, and Otter Pops. The residents offered these items out of the kindness of their hearts. How did many of the runners thank them? They tossed the trash in the street. If I lived there, I would tell the city that I do NOT want the marathon route to pass through MY neighborhood!

I could excuse littering for those who are truly racing. If you are one of the top three runners, don't take the time to find a trash can! If you are the rest of us... use the bins provided by the race organizers. How hard can that be?

OK. That's all. I'm stepping off my soap-box... and I'm signing off. But not without a few simple words first:

Give a hoot! Don't pollute!

The Revised Part
**There were a few comments on this post clarifying that the city does the clean up after the marathon. Whew! The neighborhoods are not left to clean up all the trash on their own. That is great news! I felt so sorry for the people who live in those neighborhoods. Now I feel better.

I still hold to my opinion that people need to use the trash bins, though. Mainly for these reasons:

Out of courtesy to the volunteers. They donate their time and energy to make the race a great experience. Much of that time is spent raking up trash. For a runner to go past a trash bin and still choose to toss their cups and/or wrappers on the ground in front of the volunteers is pretty rude.

Out of courtesy to other runners. I was pretty irked when someone threw their half-full cup of Cytomax right at my feet. Guess who ran part of the race with wet, Cytomaxy shoes and socks? Me.

For safety reasons. Slippery Gu-covered street= Potentially slipping runners.

Just because. It is the epitome of laziness to run right by a trash bin and choose the street as a dumping ground. That is what my kids do when they are being lazy. I know most 4 & 7-year olds are faster than I am, so maybe they were way ahead of me... but I didn't see any of them on the course.

OK. Stepping off of soapbox again.

Where To Go From Here...

2009-06-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

“The best we can do is size up the chances, calculate the risks involved, estimate our ability to deal with them, and then make our plans with confidence.” -Henry Ford

Now that I've done my marathon and I don't plan on doing any half marathons until the fall, it's time for me to reflect on my running up to this point and where I want to go from here.

Half Marathons & Me
I've mention before that I plan to stick to half marathons from now on... I still hold to that. The only for sure half I have on the calendar right now is the Surf City Half Marathon. That race is not until February of next year, however, so I really hope to fit another in before that. I'm hoping for either the Big Sur Half or the San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half. If I don't do those, I will try to get in on the Silver Strand Half Marathon.

Meanwhile....
I joke a lot about being slow. I laugh at myself, but it's true... I am slow. Slower than I want to be. I really want to work on getting faster. I don't expect to become the next Kara Goucher (although I would love to have her legs and a butt like hers!). I don't even expect to be faster than some of those amazing elderly women I saw at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. I just want to be faster than I am now.

I'm not sure how I'm going to accomplish this yet... I have to go through all the piles of information out there on the subject. I am confident I will have the help of all you more experienced runners out there, as well.

Cross Training & Strengthening
One thing I have learned, thanks to my injuries, is how important it is to cross train. Now that I love to run, all I want to do is run. Well, that's not good for me. I need- and plan to- mix up my running routine with cross-training at least twice a week. I also will incorporate strengthening exercises to help prevent future injuries.

Trail Me, Baby!
Once I can run again (after my foot/heel is better), I am excited about doing more trail running. I love running on trails! I think trail running is a little better on my bones, joints, and muscles.
Even if it turns out to not be any better for me than street running, at least trail running offers a more scenic atmosphere. I love nature!

I scoped out some new trails today that have great running potential:

Must get out there... heal heel, heal!

You have to be careful where you step
(or use nature's "facilities") out here...

Spinning
Today I tried spin bike class for the first time. It was tough! But it was fun. I think it will help strengthen those areas of weakness and keep my cardio health where it should be. I hope to do spin class twice a week.

That's all for now! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, my friends!

We Belong in the Zoo... The San Diego Zoo

2009-06-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

As a stay-at-home mom, there are days when the monotony and the isolation make me crazy! Yesterday was one of those days. I made a quick decision that getting out of the house would be good my grumpy four year old, me, and my mental health.

I picked up my first-grader from school at his lunch time and we played hooky for the rest of the day. As a former teacher, I know how wasted these last few days of school are in terms of education. My sons and I went to McDonald's for lunch and headed downtown to the amazingly beautiful San Diego Zoo.

It was just what we needed! I used to get out of the house with the boys all the time... before my oldest started school. After that, we had to cut way back on our local tourism. The current economy has also played a big role in staying close to home. I've missed our spontaneous little excursions around the county.

Our San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park annual membership passes are the only memberships we've kept going since our family budget crunch. We live about 15 minutes from the Wild Animal Park so not having an annual membership is practically a crime in these here parts.

We haven't been to the San Diego Zoo in a long time. The Zoo has opened a new Elephant exhibit... and I LOVE elephants so I had to see it. As it turns out the new exhibit is just "OK". The best part of the day was the Insect House in the Children's Zoo. Very cool. The boys loved it!

There are two running links here, albeit loose ones...

If you've been to the San Diego Zoo, you know how hilly it is there. I ran up one of those big hills with my four year old (who is pretty fast, by the way). And I loved it! It felt so good to run past people huffing and puffing up the hill. It felt great to push my legs hard. I remember when I hated hills. I remember being amazed when I finally started to like going up. And I am still amazed at how much I enjoy it.

As my sons and I playfully bounded up the hill, I overheard a lady comment to her companion, "I need to get to the gym." I smiled inside as I realized I would have been thinking the same thing about myself a year ago.

Another fun part of the day was being downtown, driving on the same streets I ran through less than a week before. I pointed out the streets and landmarks to my boys, saying things like, "I ran past that on my big race!" or "I ran on this street during my big race." My boys were impressed when I told them how I got to run down the very freeway we were driving on. Fun stuff!

My kids are probably tired of hearing about Mommy's "Big Race".

Anyway, here are some pictures of our fun day:

My seven year old

Cute bird in the Aviary

The boys LOVED the Skyfari!

Smiles!

View of Balboa Park and Downtown from the Skyfari.

Have a wonderful weekend, Running Blogger Friends! Good luck to those who have races!!

The Blog Formerly Known as Rookie on the Run

2009-06-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

OK... Maybe Not "Improved"

In case you haven't noticed, I changed the name of my blog. I still consider myself a "rookie" and probably always will. But I figured this would be a great time to make changes.

I started this blog in order to share my challenges, triumphs, and failures as I trained for my first marathon. Now that that I have accomplished that goal- and find I am still a runner- I wanted to shift the focus of the blog to running in general. I wanted the title to reflect running's permanency in my life.

So, ta-da!! Introducing... Running Through Life!

New title, new look (eventually), but still the same old Rookie... wait, isn't that an oxymoron? Sort of, maybe?

The Journey & Beyond

2009-06-02T20:59:00.000-07:00

Lobster Head
No, that is not the name of a garage band (although, it's a good one). That was just one of the many names I came up with for fellow runners during the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. I love people-watching and this was a great opportunity to do so! There were lots of ~~Elvises~~ ~~Elviss~~ Elvi. There were superheroes. There were wigs. There were people in funny hats. There was a man wearing a hat similar to the one below. I ran behind and/or ahead of him for enough miles that he earned the nickname "Lobster Head".

I can only imagine why he chose this particular hat to wear for 26.2 sweaty, grueling miles. Maybe he is from Maine. Maybe he loves lobster dipped in butter and that butter has made his arteries so clogged, now he has to run. Maybe his kids gave him this hat and expected him to wear it during his big race.

I don't know. All I know is that he was not going to beat me to the finish. I lost track of him around mile 18. He was probably clawing his way through the finish line long before I got there.

There was a woman I noticed around mile 4 who was legally blind. She was probably in her 60s and was using a white blind walking cane to guide herself along the route. I was humbled when I saw her. She was amazing! There was nobody running with her, calling out directions... at least not that I noticed. As I ran past her I said, "You're doing great!" I hope she didn't mind.

Then there was Old Guy. I only named him that because his shirt said, "Old Guys Rule". I figured if he can wear a shirt like that, I can call him Old Guy. He and I ran almost the whole race together. By together I mean, I'd pass him... he'd pass me... I'd pass him... he'd pass me. Hmmm... maybe he nicknamed me. I wonder what he called me... maybe "Snail Lady". I liked Old Guy because he is obviously a trooper and has a sense of humor.

My last favorite person was a lady I called Green Grandma. She was wearing a greenish shirt and was probably someone's beloved grandma. She was right behind me at the start line. She and I kept passing each other all along the route. I think I lost her around mile 13... she probably finished ahead of me too! I noticed that she had very awkward-looking form. But she was doing great!

Then there were those that became annoying around mile 20. But then everything and everyone became annoying around mile 20.

Like Stretchy. I called her that because every time I saw her, she was stretching her legs on the side of the road. I don't even remember seeing her run! I would pass her as she stretched. A few minutes later I would pass her again... as she stretched. How did she do that?!

Then there was Bouncy. Do I need to expand on the reason for that nickname? I have to say, she bounced much better than a lot of women I've seen. And I saw a lot of her bounciness because she kept running backwards. I think she was running with a less perky friend, as her coach or motivator. I'm sure she "motivated" many of the male runners behind us. Her backward-running bounciness got on my nerves big-time at around mile 24. You know... I'm pretty sure they make running bras in her size...

Back of the Pack
Being at the back of the pack is interesting and inspiring. It is there that you see the non-elite runners... those who are running to prove something to themselves, those to whom running does not come easy, those who make me want to keep running... without regard to obstacles, age, and ego.

Recovery?
I am SO tired! Yes, I'm sore... mostly in my thighs. But that's the "good" kind of sore. Yes, my heel still hurts. I expected that. And, I'm happy to report that my bad knee feels fine!!

My biggest hurdle right now is that I am physically tired! I think I could sleep for a couple days, wake up, drink a cup of coffee and sleep for a couple more days. I'm sure this is normal. It is, isn't it?

A Dingo Ate My Baby!
No. Not my baby... don't worry. That quote pops into my head just about every time I think of Australia. After Crocodile Dundee and Men at Work, that is. I had the great honor of being interviewed by Melanie Tait of Mel Tries to Run for her radio show at 105.7 ABC Darwin in Australia. She interviewed me about my experience as a new runner, as a mom, and as a first-time marathoner. She is as lovely in person (phone-person) as she is on her blog. I was apprehensive about doing a phone interview (I was super nervous) but she made me feel comfortable right away. I have to say... it was fun! Check out Melanie's blog if you haven't already!

Zzzzzzzz...
That's all for now! I have to get to sleep. I really hope to catch up on everyone's blog posts by tomorrow! I've been so busy and tired that I have fallen behind on keeping up with my blogger friends' posts!

My Marathon

2009-05-31T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well...

I FINISHED THE MARATHON!

It was tough. I was slow... even slower that I had hoped to be. But I finished it and still had a big smile on my face!

My chip time was 6:44:32. See? I told you I was slow.

I felt like I was doing great until about mile eight. I felt OK until about mile 13. After that, I hit that wall everyone talks about.

I think there were a few contributing factors in play by that time:

An annoying and painful blister had developed on the big toe of my right foot.
My left heel started hurting pretty badly.
I mistakenly thought there were going to be GU packs available around mile 14 so I didn't ration very well. As a result, I ran out of gel packs. The GU station was at mile 17 or 18.
My hydration belt kept riding up on my waist and that bugs me.

There were many, many positives about the race:

The whole thing was very well-organized.
The volunteers were awesome!
The weather was overcast and drizzly... perfect.
It was a fun race with lots of positive energy.
Some of the neighborhoods had residents passing out water, treats, oranges, and even beer! Some guy gave me a handful of Peanut M&Ms... and I told him that I love him.

Reflections
I'm a little disappointed about my time. I was feeling positive enough during the first half to think I might finish in under 6 hours. When I started having to walk more than I could run, I knew that wasn't going to happen.

To keep the disappointment at bay during the race, I kept reminding myself that a few short weeks ago I was contemplating dropping out of the race due to my injuries. I had to remind myself that I have not been able to do much running in order to train properly due to my knee issues... then the heel trouble.

So... to sum it all up , I consider it a blessing that I was able to participate in the race at all! I am grateful I was able to finish it... much better runners than myself have had to drop out of their own marathons due to injuries or illness. It was fun and I feel proud of myself for having done it. I do not plan on doing any more marathons, though. For me, half marathons seem to be more compatible with my running style, life, training, and health.

Pictures of the Finish

I was SO glad to see that finish line!

What's up with the thumbs?
I don't know... too many Happy Days episodes when I was little, maybe.
I was in love with The Fonz.

With my free post-race beer.
The big concert was put on by the English Beat.

But Wait- That's Not All!
I plan on posting more about the race tomorrow... including some observations, some of the amazing people I saw, and my favorite water station (which was at around mile 10... which happens to be the mile I dedicated to Patrick at My New Life on the Run).

Again, I'd like to thank all of you for cheering me on!! You rock, Bloggers!!

It's Here!

2009-05-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow!!

The day I have been thinking about, training for, eating for, planning for, talking about, reading about, writing about for five months is here!!

Well... tomorrow it's here, but you know what I mean.

I can't believe it's been more than five months since the day I woke up, decided I needed something constructive to do, and figured I should run a marathon. I've blogged before about why I decided to do this so I won't bore you with the details... plus, I don't really know why. As I've mentioned before, maybe it was because I hated running so much that I chose this particular goal. Yes, I'm a little kooky like that. But anyway, I said I wasn't going to blog that again.

When I decided to keep this blog about my marathon training, I had no idea how many wonderful runners out there in Blogland would come to my side, virtually speaking, and offer their support. So thank you, everyone, for your encouragement and words of wisdom. I will be thinking about you while I run tomorrow. And you. And you. And you. And, yes, especially you! If that creeps you out, get used to it because I'm going to be out on that course for a looong time!

Right now I am excited, scared, antsy, and feel like I should be doing something physical in order to be ready. But I'm just trying to relax, drink my water, and get my mind prepared for tomorrow. I still don't know what to have for dinner this evening... but I'm sure I'll think of something. :D

Goals

I read somewhere that it is good for runners to set goals for each of their races. My goals are simple and few:

Finish
Finish before the broom pushers sweep all the trash out of the finish line area.
Finish with a smile on my face.
Finish with pride.
Finish in an upright position.

Expo Excitement!

Yesterday (Friday) I went to the Expo down at the San Diego Convention Center. It was fun! I got my bib, my goodie bag, and my free race shirt.

I also got to meet Irene who is a fellow citizen of Blogland. We had fun looking at the exhibits, shopping, dodging people, and shopping some more. It was a busy place yesterday... I'm sure today is crazy-crowded!

That's Irene, in case you don't know.
We were standing like we didn't really know each other.
Oh wait- we didn't!

By the end of the Expo, we were good buddies.
And princesses.

Helping the Economy

One thing I learned about Irene yesterday, is that she loves to buy running stuff just like I do! We got some cute stuff at the expo. There was so much I wanted to buy! There were all kinds of gadgets and clothing items I wanted... but I was good. After all, two people alone can't take this country out of a recession all by themselves.

I bought this shirt:

In case you can't tell, it says "marathon mom" on the front. On the back it says, "run along now".

As in... "I'm cooking dinner, run along now." Or "I'm going to the bathroom, run along now." Or "Yes, that is a beautiful snail, run along now."

Ch-ch-ch-changes
After reading your comments on my last blog, I decided to carry more food gel. I also decided to wear my hydration belt during the race. I know a lot of runners who are against running with the belt because it slows them down. I'm just worried that I will be so slow during the race, the aid stations will close or run out of water before I finish. My hydration belt also carries more stuff in the pockets (like more gel packets). It holds four water bottles but I'm only going to use two of them. You know, so they don't slow me down. ha ha

I also might wear my black Nike hat instead of my pink hat. I've been wearing my black hat since I started training and I feel like I owe it the honor of going with me to the finish. I was concerned about wearing black because of the sun but it has been cloudy and drizzly here for the past couple days. I don't think I need to worry about the sun making my head too hot.

And She's Off!
I am done blogging for now. Thanks for all your well-wishes and kind words! I can't wait to tell you how it goes! Have a great weekend & to all you others who have races, Good Luck & Have Fun!

What am I Forgetting?

2009-05-28T21:26:00.000-07:00

Ready-Set-Pack!

I feel like I'm getting ready to go on vacation, yet I'm only traveling one half hour away from my house. I'm talking about getting ready for the marathon (as if you didn't know that). I've been planning what I'm going to wear, what I'm going to eat, what I'm going to carry on my body during the race, and even which hair elastics I'm going to use.

Normally, I'm not a planner but when it comes to getting ready for certain things (ie. work, trips, and long runs) I like to be ready ahead of time. I have found that it cuts back on my stress level in the early morning rush. The more unknown a situation is for me, the earlier I start getting ready.

It's only Thursday, but I am as ready as I can be for now. Here are the items I have ready to go right now...

Backpack Essentials

Trader Joe's Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans in case I can't find coffee somewhere
Electrolyte water from Trader Joe's
Knee brace
Face Sunscreen... SPF 50
Glide, of course
The Stick
GU Chomps... just in case
Myoplex Chocolate Crunch Protein Bar for after the race
Nathan Body Wipes
Toilet wipes (so I don't have to use my sock)
Lysol Spray for the port 'o potty (see... I was serious about that, folks!)

Where's ~~Waldo~~ Sara?
And, just in case you're going to be in the marathon, waiting at the finish line, or watching the live feed of the finish on the web and you want to look for me... this is what I will be wearing:

Pink Shirt
Pink Hat
Gray Run Skirt
Pink & White Socks
Blue and White Shoes
Sunglasses
Bright yellow marathon belt
Watch (so I know when to run:walk)
Pink Road ID (in case I keel over on the side of the road)
iPod (fits in a nifty little pocket in the shorts attached to the skirt)

Good Thing the Belt Stretches!

My Phone (so I can take pictures and call my husband if I need to)
Strawberry scented lip balm with SPF 15
Chocolate Accel Gel
Toilet wipes (in case... well, you know)

Just as when I pack for any type of trip, I feel like I've forgotten something. For those of you who have done this before, am I forgetting anything I'm going to need?

By the Way...

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

Challenge Accepted... I Think

2009-05-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

Music for Running

Inspired by Irene, today I created a playlist to listen to during the marathon. There are 92 songs all together. It works out to be six hours, 15 minutes, and 11 seconds.

Then, because I had nothing better to do (translation: "Because I didn't want to wash the dishes"), I posted that bit of information on my Facebook status. Tall Mel wanted to know what my top ten songs are. Tall-in-Wedges Mel wanted me to list them all in a blog. I'm still not sure if she was serious.

Well, since I still have nothing better to do (translation: "Since I hate putting laundry away"), I decided to respond to the Mels in a single blog. I'm going to list all of the songs on my playlist. I will indicate which are my 10 favorite running songs for Tall Mel.

I'm going to write them in order of how they appear on my iPod playlist (mostly alphabetical by artist). When I run, it's on "shuffle" so they won't be in this order for the race.

Take a Chance on Me -- ABBA
The Lucky One -- Alison Krauss & Union Station
She Talks to Angels -- The Black Crowes
Into the Ocean -- Blue October
Run-Around -- Blues Traveler
Don't Look Back -- Boston
Not to Us -- Chris Tomlin *
Accidentally in Love -- Counting Crows
Proud Mary -- Creedence Clearwater Revival
Bad Moon Rising -- CCR
Who'll Stop the Rain -- CCR
Don't Dream it's Over -- Crowded House
Up and Away -- Dave Matthews Band **
Grace is Gone -- DMB
So Much to Say -- DMB
American Baby -- DMB
Ants Marching -- DMB
Come on Eileen -- Dexy's Midnight Runners **
Mercy -- Duffy
The Riddle -- Five for Fighting
Monday Morning -- Fleetwood Mac
Don't Stop -- Fleetwood Mac
When I Come Around -- Green Day
Sweet Child O' Mine -- Guns N' Roses **
Knockin' on Heaven's Door -- Guns N' Roses
Upside Down (Remix) -- Jack Johnson & Money Mark
Me and Bobby McGee -- Janis Joplin **
No Slack -- Joe Bonamassa
Unbroken -- Joe Bonamassa
Waiting for Me -- Joe Bonamassa
Red Light -- Jonny Lang
Bump in the Road -- J. Lang
Anything's Possible -- J. Lang
Don't Stop Believing -- Journey **
Walking on Sunshine -- Katrina & the Waves
Black Horse & the Cherry Tree -- KT Tunstall
Suddenly I See -- KT Tunstall
Fool in the Rain -- Led Zeppelin
All Downhill -- Lyle Lovett
In My Own Mind -- Lyle Lovett
If I Had a Boat -- Lyle Lovett
Private Conversation -- Lyle Lovett
Independence Day -- Martina McBride
I Run for Life -- Melissa Etheridge **
Breathe -- Michelle Branch
Shattered -- OAR
Fool in the Rain -- OAR
Hit Me with Your Best Shot -- Pat Benatar
Outrageous -- Paul Simon
Grace Like Rain -- Plumbline * **
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) -- The Proclaimers
We Will Rock You -- Queen
We are the Champions -- Queen
Fat Bottomed Girls -- Queen
Dani California -- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Snow (Hey Oh) -- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Time Stand Still -- Rush
My Redeemer Lives -- Rueben Morgen *
Walkin' on the Sun -- Smashmouth **
Dakota -- Stereophonics
A Thousand Trees -- Stereophonics
Step on my Old Size Nines -- Stereophonics
Have a Nice Day -- Stereophonics
Pick a Part that's New -- Stereophonics
When the Stars Go Blue -- Tim McGraw
Sweetest Thing -- U2
Desire -- U2
All Along the Watchtower -- U2
Angel of Harlem -- U2
Beautiful Day -- U2
'40' -- U2
When Love Comes to Town -- U2 with BB King **
Red Red Wine -- UB40 **
A Thousand Miles -- Vanessa Carlton
Baba O'Riley -- The Who
Your Love is Amazing -- Brenton Brown *
Forever -- Chris Tomlin *
I Lift my Eyes Up -- Kutless *
Majestic -- Lincoln Brewster *
Everlasting God -- Lincoln Brewster *
Blessed be Your Name -- Matt Redman *
Jesus Lord of Heaven -- Kutless *
Another Hallelujah -- Lincoln Brewster *
Today is the Day -- Lincoln Brewster *
Let the Praises Ring -- Lincoln Brewster *
Tom Sawyer -- Rush
Marathon -- Rush
The Tide is High -- Blondie
Heart of Glass -- Blondie
The Climb -- Miley Cyrus
Once in a Lifetime -- Talking Heads
And She Was -- Talking Heads
The Day we Caught the Train -- Ocean Colour Scene

Nope, that is not a typo... there are now 93 songs. I realized while I was writing this that I forgot to put #93 in my playlist. Good thing I wrote out all the songs, otherwise I might not have realized the Ocean Colour Scene song was missing. That could have thrown off my whole race!!

In case you haven't noticed, the songs with the red * are church/worship songs. These songs help keep the focus off of myself when I'm getting worn out. I find they help me stop thinking about how sore and tired I am.

The ten songs that have the ** are the my favorites for running. They either have a good beat, make me happy, or keep my mind off of myself for a while. I added a bunch of new songs today, though, so I may find some other favorites.

Wellness & Heeling (Pun Intended)

That crazy-looking night splint seems to be helping. I woke up this morning, stepped on my heel, and *voila!* no pain! It felt mostly better all day... until I stood around on our hard floor making dinner without my shoes on, because my 7 yr. old spilled apple juice and my running shoes got the brunt of the splatter.

So I'm happy! Not about the juicy shoes, happy about my heel. Thanks for all your well-wishes, suggestions, and sharing your knowledge!

RICE... It's not Just for Dinner Anymore

2009-05-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

Rest is best...
Or so they say.
Ice is nice
Did it today.
Compression
Works well for me!
Elevation...
High as can be.

When did RICE become something you do?
Don't ask me, 'cause I haven't a clue!
Rice used to be just something to eat...
Now, it's something I do to my feet!

My Old Codger Boot

I'm doing all I can to get my heel as healthy as it can be for Sunday! I'm "RICE"ing it. I've been stretching and rolling it. I'm being good to my foot. It owes me- BIG time!

I even purchased one of these beauties today:

Ya, I know what you're thinking... "Those are some styling socks! Where can I get a pair of those?!"

You may even be thinking... "That is one invasive splint. I sure hope that thing helps. And doesn't hurt someone in the process."

If you're my husband (and I'm pretty certain you are not), you call it an "old codger boot" and then you have to laugh at me. And you know what? I don't care! I'm willing to try anything right now to get my heel race-ready.

Truthfully, it has been getting better. All your advice has been helpful! As injuries go, I would consider my heel problem relatively minor. Except for the fact that I plan on putting it through 26.2 grueling miles in about 5 days.

I have not tried to sleep in the night splint yet. I've heard it's uncomfortable and I believe it! If it helps, it will be worth it. As an added bonus, I think the cat will be in for a nasty surprise when it tries to attack my feet in the middle of the night. Mwha-ha-ha-ha. Take that, Kitty!

Good News!
I found a ride to the race with a friend of mine... Theresa, who rocked the Carlsbad 5000! A friend of hers is going to drive us down to the starting line and drop us off. This will save me a drive down to the San Diego Airport Authority lot, where I would have to park and then wait for a shuttle bus to the starting line.

I much prefer to be dropped off at the start! I am so happy that Theresa and her friend have invited me along! It will also be great to have a friend to wait with... at least until we have to separate into our corrals. She will be in Corral 8. I am assigned to Corral 20. Um... did I mention she ROCKED the Carlsbad 5000?

Speaking of Food
I know... I wasn't speaking or writing of food. I had planned to blog about food but now it's my bed time. If I had blogged about pre-marathon food as planned, it would have been the perfect segue to letting you know about Amanda's giveaway at Run to Finish. She is having a cookie giveaway! Check it out!

Good night! Time to get some much-needed sleep and to put my night-splint to the Spastic Kitty test.

Racey Thoughts

2009-05-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

One week from this moment I will have have finished a marathon! I can hardly believe it. It is starting to sink into my mind that this is going to happen. I'm pretty good about keeping my nerves in check about most things. If I get nervous about stuff, I usually don't allow it to surface until the anticipated moment occurs.

I have to admit, though, I am:

Nervous
Excited
Scared
Overwhelmed
Anxious
Happy

Mostly, it's the unknown, small details that are making me nervous. Like:

How will I get down there?
What will I bring?
Will it be chilly?
How much coffee should I drink?
Should I bring a little can of Lysol to disinfect the yucky blue port-o-potty before I use it?
What will I do with my stuff?
I know... they have UPS trucks taking all the "stuff" to the finish line, but then I have to find the truck... and my bag after the race.
What if I get lost on the route? Trust me, I get lost easily! Very easily*.
Should I wear some makeup? I want to look alive when they take my picture.
What if I can't find my husband at the finish line?
What if I can't sleep the night before the race? I'm not a good have-to-sleep sleeper.

Then there are all the "maybes"... many of which are irrational:

Maybe my heel and/or knee will get so damaged from this race that I will never recover.
Maybe I'll get lost.*
Maybe all that sweet Cytomax will make my tummy very unhappy.
Maybe I should wear a diaper.
Maybe some well-meaning at-home spectator will spray me with their garden hose. I hate getting sprayed by hoses. Even more, I hate wet socks.
Maybe I should bring an extra pair of socks... I read of someone who ended up having to use her socks as toilet paper during a marathon. I assume she ran sockless for the rest of the race. Hopefully, she did not put them back on her feet.
Maybe I ought to bring some toilette wipes.

Then there are all the week before the race concerns, mostly involving eating, drinking, and resting questions. I'll blog about those another time since this blog is getting long and the hour is getting late.

*Some examples of me getting lost:

Very nearly walking into the men's locker room at the gym last week after using the pool.
Getting so lost at Caesar's Palace in Vegas that it took me an hour to find my way out.
Losing my car in the hospital parking garage.
Not being able to find my hotel room (on numerous occasions).
Getting lost (and very late) on my way to jury duty.
Practically panicking in a pumpkin patch corn maze because I couldn't find my way out... I was ready to tear down those corn stalks.