I did not know it was actually possible to get blisters on your blisters, but it is. Cuz I got some. Luckily, they don't really hurt, so I'm not too concerned.
The goal this Saturday was just to get through training. I wasn't going to run, I wasn't going to train for a specific time; it would be accomplishment enough to make all 9 miles. 9 MILES!! I wasn't feeling super motivated or fit this week since I had basically done everything wrong: Didn't run at all during the week since I was battling a little cold, drank a TON of beer last night watching NCAA March Madness, ate like total crap along with the tons of beer, and didn't get a lot of sleep cuz some drunk kept snoring in my ear (that would be Grant). Although I had eaten better and not drank very much during the week, due to cold.
The course today was the Los Feliz Loop (no more bitching about that) for 3 miles, then 6 miles up this big-ass hill, then back to the picnic tables. Los Feliz Loop wasn't nearly as hard this time. Last time we did this 2 or 3 weeks ago, I thought I was going to have to sit and wait for the bus to come by and pick me up, I was so miserable. This time, no problemo. I was walking with Irma, who generally has the same pace as me and is also doing the SB Half. We walked together last week, too. We did the 3 miles at a 15:10 pace, only walking, pretty good for not trying too hard. Unfortunately, Irma had hurt her toe somehow, and started slowing down for the next mile, so our pace went down to about a 17 mile for the next mile. She went back to base, and then I was on my own after the Water Station. I was doing pretty good at getting my pace back on track, listening to Michael Jackson's Off the Wall! Then I hit THE HILL. It's a big-ass hill. Full of blind curves, so I couldn't ever tell when the DOWN part would start. I was huffing and puffing and had to stop a few times. It wasn't as steep as the Hill Of Pure Evil last week, but it just kept going and going. All I kept saying was "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" It wasn't as amusing without my Dad to annoy by asking that 10,000 times. Also, Steve, if you're reading this "I'm not touching you, I'm not touching you"
Anyway, I FINALLY made it to the top of this damn hill and made it to the downhill and the next Water Station. Never has Gatorade tasted so good. I finished all 9 miles in 2 hours and 22 minutes. It is insane that I actually WALKED for 2 hours and 22 minutes. It is insane that I walked from Los Feliz to Burbank AND BACK. AND BACK!! So, without trying too hard, I shaved some time off my training. I probably would have been faster if I hadn't slowed down for that one mile or had been trying to maintain pace, but I feel pretty good that I got my time down w/o running and I think the next time I tackle the hill, it will be easier.
After training, we had a big Easter party. It was huge! There was a tent, and waffles, PopTarts, fresh coffee, candy, egg dyeing, hula hooping, prizes--it was fun. Oh, and we had these:
http://www.frootloops.com/cerealstraws/
Or, The End of Western Civilization. Froot Loop Straws. I LOVED Froot Loops, yet am appalled by these.
Goals for this week:
LONG (6+ mile) training to build up endurance. I hit that wall at 5 miles every time, and I need to build up endurance
Less Beer/More Calcium :(
No more Easter Candy
Raise that last $900
Happy Easter!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m3eJxZEai0
And JUST for Kacey:
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
March 15--Recommittment Day
Did you know that it is pitch dark at 5:30 AM? Did you know you can get from Hollywood to Santa Monica in 20 minutes at 6:30 in the morning on a Saturday? I DO! I managed to get to Santa Monica on time and without getting lost, 2 major accomplishments.
All of the Train to End Stroke teams met at Clover Park in Santa Monica for a big celebration for recommitting to the training program and reaching the individual fundraising goal of $525, (25% of the total fundraising goal).
Training this week had not been good simply because I was super busy with work and didn't have time to do a lot of long walks. I did about a mile on the treadmill at the gym, then did about 2 miles of walking/jogging on Thursday. So I was a little worried about Saturday. I even did the unthinkable and didn't have any beers on Friday night ::gasp:: Didn't help much with training, however :). But I did make it through all 7 miles at a 16.2 minute pace (why am I stuck on 16.2 minute pacing?????) and didn't die, so that's a plus. We were promised ocean views, and we got about a mile along the ocean. If I was training for a full marathon, I would have run from Santa Monica to Venice and back. But that's just crazy talk. But as we hit the ocean, I thought it looked strangely familiar. Even though I didn't take my camera, I can show you EXACTLY what it looked like:
I did not wear my short shorts, however. Having maintained a firm "Avoid the Westside like the plague" stance in my 10 years in LA, I had no idea that Santa Monica was hilly. But it is, apparently, including the last hill from the ocean back to the park that was straight up evil. EVIL! Oh, and I will quit complaining about Griffith Park and the Los Feliz Loop, because it is MUCH nicer to train in a park than to run through neighborhoods, avoiding cars and bicyclists and curbs and trees, etc. We are totally spoiled training in Griffith Park, where runners have the right of way, there's a big run/bike path, and no stop signs or lights every block.
Accomplishments this week:
Met 25% fundraising goal (THANKS EVERYONE!) Now at 50% of my goal.
Did 2 days of training during the week
Got a new, smaller MP3 player
Actually figured out how to work said MP3 player
Did all 7 miles of training
Discovered where they filmed the opening of Three's Company
Recovered quickly on Sunday--minimal soreness
GOALS for this week:
Faster, Faster, Schnell, Schnell! (Get under 15 minute mile)
Work on endurance/do longer training. I seriously hit a wall at 5 miles and want to kill myself, so I need to focus on longer training
Less beer/More calcium (since I feel a cold coming on, maybe this won't be hard. OTOH, St. Patrick's Day)
Train 3-4x
All of the Train to End Stroke teams met at Clover Park in Santa Monica for a big celebration for recommitting to the training program and reaching the individual fundraising goal of $525, (25% of the total fundraising goal).
Training this week had not been good simply because I was super busy with work and didn't have time to do a lot of long walks. I did about a mile on the treadmill at the gym, then did about 2 miles of walking/jogging on Thursday. So I was a little worried about Saturday. I even did the unthinkable and didn't have any beers on Friday night ::gasp:: Didn't help much with training, however :). But I did make it through all 7 miles at a 16.2 minute pace (why am I stuck on 16.2 minute pacing?????) and didn't die, so that's a plus. We were promised ocean views, and we got about a mile along the ocean. If I was training for a full marathon, I would have run from Santa Monica to Venice and back. But that's just crazy talk. But as we hit the ocean, I thought it looked strangely familiar. Even though I didn't take my camera, I can show you EXACTLY what it looked like:
I did not wear my short shorts, however. Having maintained a firm "Avoid the Westside like the plague" stance in my 10 years in LA, I had no idea that Santa Monica was hilly. But it is, apparently, including the last hill from the ocean back to the park that was straight up evil. EVIL! Oh, and I will quit complaining about Griffith Park and the Los Feliz Loop, because it is MUCH nicer to train in a park than to run through neighborhoods, avoiding cars and bicyclists and curbs and trees, etc. We are totally spoiled training in Griffith Park, where runners have the right of way, there's a big run/bike path, and no stop signs or lights every block.
Accomplishments this week:
Met 25% fundraising goal (THANKS EVERYONE!) Now at 50% of my goal.
Did 2 days of training during the week
Got a new, smaller MP3 player
Actually figured out how to work said MP3 player
Did all 7 miles of training
Discovered where they filmed the opening of Three's Company
Recovered quickly on Sunday--minimal soreness
GOALS for this week:
Faster, Faster, Schnell, Schnell! (Get under 15 minute mile)
Work on endurance/do longer training. I seriously hit a wall at 5 miles and want to kill myself, so I need to focus on longer training
Less beer/More calcium (since I feel a cold coming on, maybe this won't be hard. OTOH, St. Patrick's Day)
Train 3-4x
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Recommittment Saturday
Part of the Train to End Stroke Program is a commitment to raise $2100 for the American Stroke Association. By March 14th, I need to have raised 25% or $525. The full $2100 has to be raised by April 18!
Luckily for me, I have such awesome friends and family that I have already raised over $900, well over the 25% required! Thanks, awesome friends and family!!
Now that I'm committed, I'm fully committed. If I'm short of the $2100 by April 18, I have to pay the rest. So Grant would really really really appreciate it if I was able to raise the $2100. I know it's a tough time of year, with the evil tax bill looming, but George Bush promised us all huge checks to help stimulate the economy, and I know he would never mislead us about anything. If you can't support financially, your encouragement and support are EVEN MORE appreciated.
This Saturday we are having our Recommitment Party after training. In Santa Monica. We have been promised that we get to see the ocean during our training, so hopefully that will offset the pain of having to wake up half an hour earlier (5:30 AM Good Lord).
Luckily for me, I have such awesome friends and family that I have already raised over $900, well over the 25% required! Thanks, awesome friends and family!!
Now that I'm committed, I'm fully committed. If I'm short of the $2100 by April 18, I have to pay the rest. So Grant would really really really appreciate it if I was able to raise the $2100. I know it's a tough time of year, with the evil tax bill looming, but George Bush promised us all huge checks to help stimulate the economy, and I know he would never mislead us about anything. If you can't support financially, your encouragement and support are EVEN MORE appreciated.
This Saturday we are having our Recommitment Party after training. In Santa Monica. We have been promised that we get to see the ocean during our training, so hopefully that will offset the pain of having to wake up half an hour earlier (5:30 AM Good Lord).
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Seven Miles of Suckitude
Dude, Saturday suuuuuuuuucked. I thought I was all raring to go, but apparently not. The schedule was 7 miles at Griffith Park. I had a good week of training; I did one extra day of walking, included some jogging, and generally felt like I was on track. Only to hit the brick wall of Griffith Park. I don't even know what happened, but I seriously considered quitting and heading straight to my car. I don't know why I hate that particular lap, the "Los Feliz Lap," that we started off with today (and also the last day I was cranky), but I do. I hate it. It's boring, long, goes across a freeway, and it irritates me. But I think I just need to get over it because I think that's how we'll be starting all our long distance Griffith Park sessions.
Saturday we met our Team Captains, alumni who will help us train and on the day of the race. One of my captains was Debra, who was a total lifesaver! Even though she had just walked 19 miles of the LA Marathon last Saturday, she walked with me for the last 5 miles and kept me totally motivated and on pace. I seriously would have headed for the parking lot at about mile 3 without her.
Coach Bert walked a 15 minute pace, and we were supposed to stay ahead of him if we're doing the Santa Barbara half-marathon. I did okay for about a mile and half, two miles, then just suuuuuuuuucked. Of course, Bert passed me like he was out for a casual stroll, while I'm red, huffing and puffing, sucking water, and cranky. Needless to say, I did not make the 15 minute mile pace, and came in at about 16:10 pace. Grrrrrrr.
I also had equipment issues. I needed something to hold water and the iPod, yet I was resisting the fanny pack. Drew helpfully suggested the beer can hat
I ended up getting something similar to this
at the running store. I might be rethinking that beer can helmet. The water bottle bounced up and down too much when lamely attempting to jog. But that's what the training is for, to experiment and see what I like and don't like.
I think our coaches like the Fuel Belt
but it is seriously dorkier than a fanny pack. It also seems awfully intense for a half-marathon. It's only 13 miles!
So, anyway, I survived! I did the 7 miles, came home and took a really, really long hot bath. I tweaked some muscle that I'm not even sure I know what it is. My trainer Shari said it was the psoas...pronounced sooh az. Yup, so' azzzz is what I had. Anyway, I did lots of stretches in Pilates on Tuesday and it's better. I also did some jogging on the treadmill at the gym today, and saw Thomas Dekker from Terminator TV series and some chick from High School Musical at my gym today. Then I went to the Post Office and saw a woman have a 20 minute fight with the poster of the Statue of Liberty on the wall. That's HOLLYWOOD, baby! Celebrities and nutballs.
Enough moaning and groaning. I have a super busy week, so it's going to be a challenge to even get training in, much less trying to increase my pace, but I will do my best!
Saturday we met our Team Captains, alumni who will help us train and on the day of the race. One of my captains was Debra, who was a total lifesaver! Even though she had just walked 19 miles of the LA Marathon last Saturday, she walked with me for the last 5 miles and kept me totally motivated and on pace. I seriously would have headed for the parking lot at about mile 3 without her.
Coach Bert walked a 15 minute pace, and we were supposed to stay ahead of him if we're doing the Santa Barbara half-marathon. I did okay for about a mile and half, two miles, then just suuuuuuuuucked. Of course, Bert passed me like he was out for a casual stroll, while I'm red, huffing and puffing, sucking water, and cranky. Needless to say, I did not make the 15 minute mile pace, and came in at about 16:10 pace. Grrrrrrr.
I also had equipment issues. I needed something to hold water and the iPod, yet I was resisting the fanny pack. Drew helpfully suggested the beer can hat
I ended up getting something similar to this
at the running store. I might be rethinking that beer can helmet. The water bottle bounced up and down too much when lamely attempting to jog. But that's what the training is for, to experiment and see what I like and don't like.
I think our coaches like the Fuel Belt
but it is seriously dorkier than a fanny pack. It also seems awfully intense for a half-marathon. It's only 13 miles!
So, anyway, I survived! I did the 7 miles, came home and took a really, really long hot bath. I tweaked some muscle that I'm not even sure I know what it is. My trainer Shari said it was the psoas...pronounced sooh az. Yup, so' azzzz is what I had. Anyway, I did lots of stretches in Pilates on Tuesday and it's better. I also did some jogging on the treadmill at the gym today, and saw Thomas Dekker from Terminator TV series and some chick from High School Musical at my gym today. Then I went to the Post Office and saw a woman have a 20 minute fight with the poster of the Statue of Liberty on the wall. That's HOLLYWOOD, baby! Celebrities and nutballs.
Enough moaning and groaning. I have a super busy week, so it's going to be a challenge to even get training in, much less trying to increase my pace, but I will do my best!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon
Here's the half marathon I'll be doing.
http://runsantaynez.com/
I wonder if we'll go by Oprah's house? There's a wine festival at the end of the event, so I figure if I'm having trouble, the thought of getting drunk on free wine at the end might push me through to the finish line. But honestly, the thought of wine after 13 miles isn't all that appealing.
But it should at least be gorgeous scenery while I'm torturing myself for 13 miles! My friend Lauren is going to do the event with me, so I'll have a buddy. She can actually run, however, so I might only see her at the start and the finish line.
http://runsantaynez.com/
Prepare to take a scenic journey you'll never forget on this scenic course through the Santa Ynez Valley bordered by the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Starting in downtown Santa Ynez, the course passes through the quaint town of Los Olivos before finishing on Copenhagen Drive in the heart of historic Solvang. In between you'll wind through clusters of horse ranches, fruit orchards, lavender farms and vineyards. The first six miles of the course are relatively flat, then after a short hill climb at mile 6 the final 6.5 miles are mostly downhill and fast.
I wonder if we'll go by Oprah's house? There's a wine festival at the end of the event, so I figure if I'm having trouble, the thought of getting drunk on free wine at the end might push me through to the finish line. But honestly, the thought of wine after 13 miles isn't all that appealing.
But it should at least be gorgeous scenery while I'm torturing myself for 13 miles! My friend Lauren is going to do the event with me, so I'll have a buddy. She can actually run, however, so I might only see her at the start and the finish line.
You want proof? You can't handle proof!
Several people have (rightly) expressed skepticism that I am actually going to complete a Half-Marathon. They have requested photographic or video evidence of training. Since Grant is asleep when I leave, asleep when I get home, asleep while I shower, dry my hair and eat a snack, and pretty much asleep until about noon, he's out.
Anybody else that wants to get up at 7 AM and come to Griffith Park and take a picture, you are more than welcome! And then you'd have to show me how to upload a picture to the blog, because of course I don't know how to do that either.
Anybody else that wants to get up at 7 AM and come to Griffith Park and take a picture, you are more than welcome! And then you'd have to show me how to upload a picture to the blog, because of course I don't know how to do that either.
March 1, 2008 Week 5
Rose Bowl AGAIN It's slightly drizzly today. We've been really, really fortunate to have great weather every Saturday. This is the first day that it's been kinda of rainy, although it's not too bad and just keeps us cool.
Today, we're doing twice around the Rose Bowl again. Bert, one of our coaches, talks to us about how to decrease our times so that we can make it under the 15 minute pace. I realize I am going to have to suck it up and start jogging. Bert suggests to look for landmarks, like the lightpoles, which are placed at equal distances around the Bowl, and try to run for 2 poles, then 3 poles, then 4, etc. Of course, the hard part about running is not the actual running, it's the maintaining your walking pace once you stop running. It's no good to run if you then slow to a crawl on the walk. So, NEWS FLASH: I actually jogged! Granted, it was for like 20 feet, then walking for 7 minutes, then another 20 feet of running, but still. The important thing is that I maintained a fast walk after the jogging. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT !! For this, I will thank Mr. Stevie Wonder and Mr. Willie Nelson. "Uptight" "Sir Duke" "Whiskey River" and "Bloody Mary Morning" are all excellent pacing songs. And I got under 15 minute/mile pacing!!! And passed Ginger again when she went to the bathroom! See, beer drinking is good for something! It taught me not to break the seal.
I tried Gatorade this week instead of water and that's a big mistake. One sip is okay, but not for 6 whole miles. I also had to carry the iPod so that it wouldn't freeze again. Must get dorky fanny pack! That way I can have mostly water and a little bottle of Gatorade. And not carry my iPod. Afterwards, I don't know if it was the finally running, the carrying the Gatorade and iPod, lifting weights on Friday or tensing my shoulders during running, but I seriously could not lift my arm on Saturday afternoon. Soooooooo sore. I had to put a heating pad on my shoulder for about 6 hours. Of course, I injure my SHOULDER while running. That makes perfect sense. Next week, we're back to Griffith Park. 15 more minutes of sleeping!!
Monday, I took the dogs on a walk as part of my training. Decided to incorporate a little tiny bit of jogging. Like, from that trash can to the corner. Poor little Maggie is not a fan of the jogging. Maggie is a little tubby with short stubby legs, just like me! That's why we hate the jogging. So I had to wait for her at the corner a couple of times. Calvin does not mind the jogging, although it interferes greatly with his ability to pee on every rock and blade of grass in the neighborhood.
Today, we're doing twice around the Rose Bowl again. Bert, one of our coaches, talks to us about how to decrease our times so that we can make it under the 15 minute pace. I realize I am going to have to suck it up and start jogging. Bert suggests to look for landmarks, like the lightpoles, which are placed at equal distances around the Bowl, and try to run for 2 poles, then 3 poles, then 4, etc. Of course, the hard part about running is not the actual running, it's the maintaining your walking pace once you stop running. It's no good to run if you then slow to a crawl on the walk. So, NEWS FLASH: I actually jogged! Granted, it was for like 20 feet, then walking for 7 minutes, then another 20 feet of running, but still. The important thing is that I maintained a fast walk after the jogging. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT !! For this, I will thank Mr. Stevie Wonder and Mr. Willie Nelson. "Uptight" "Sir Duke" "Whiskey River" and "Bloody Mary Morning" are all excellent pacing songs. And I got under 15 minute/mile pacing!!! And passed Ginger again when she went to the bathroom! See, beer drinking is good for something! It taught me not to break the seal.
I tried Gatorade this week instead of water and that's a big mistake. One sip is okay, but not for 6 whole miles. I also had to carry the iPod so that it wouldn't freeze again. Must get dorky fanny pack! That way I can have mostly water and a little bottle of Gatorade. And not carry my iPod. Afterwards, I don't know if it was the finally running, the carrying the Gatorade and iPod, lifting weights on Friday or tensing my shoulders during running, but I seriously could not lift my arm on Saturday afternoon. Soooooooo sore. I had to put a heating pad on my shoulder for about 6 hours. Of course, I injure my SHOULDER while running. That makes perfect sense. Next week, we're back to Griffith Park. 15 more minutes of sleeping!!
Monday, I took the dogs on a walk as part of my training. Decided to incorporate a little tiny bit of jogging. Like, from that trash can to the corner. Poor little Maggie is not a fan of the jogging. Maggie is a little tubby with short stubby legs, just like me! That's why we hate the jogging. So I had to wait for her at the corner a couple of times. Calvin does not mind the jogging, although it interferes greatly with his ability to pee on every rock and blade of grass in the neighborhood.
February 23, 2008: Week 4
ROSE BOWL This means I have to get up at 5:45 instead of 6!! We are supposed to do 5 miles today, but there's no good stopping point, so we're doing 6.2! What a lovely surprise!! Once around the Rose Bowl is a 5K or 3.1 miles, and twice around is 10K, or 6.2 miles. I never would have thought, in my wildest imagination, that I would ever walk a 10K as practice.
Before we start, we learn about electrolyte replacement during the race. Much discussion on sports drinks, GUs (not goo as I had thought--thanks, Gretchen for the correction), blocks, bars, etc. It's very overwhelming. I got some jelly bean things at Target, only because they were at Target instead of the running store. I need to go back to the running store, but if I go every week, then I'd be like a serious runner. No need to get all crazy. Apparently, we are strongly advised to get some sort of hip belt or camelback backpack to hold water and energy drinks. They may call them hip belts, but really, they are fanny packs. Very, very dorky fanny packs. Not quite ready to commit to that.
The 6 miles goes okay. After last week's running fiasco, I stick firmly to brisk walking. I brought Grant's iPod. Stevie Wonder's "Uptight" is the perfect tempo. Unfortunately, halfway through the first lap around the Bowl, the iPod freezes up. I am SURE Grant will find some way to blame me for this, although I swear I did not do anything. Technology hates me, as does nature. So I am reduced to singing "Uptight" to myself. Sadly, the only words I know are "BABY!! Everything is alright! UPTIGHT!! Outta sight." Makes for a long lap.
On the second lap, I catch up with some other walkers, and we talk, so that makes it more interesting than singing 1 bar of a song over and over in my head. And news flash: I pass Ginger!! Well, she stopped to go to the bathroom. Take that, SMALL BLADDER! Still did basically a 16 minute pace. Have to come home and look up how to unstick the iPod. Grant blames me. Apparently caused by jostling around in my pocket, so this is yet another reason I have to get a dorky, dorky fanny pack, so that I can attach my iPod to it.
Before we start, we learn about electrolyte replacement during the race. Much discussion on sports drinks, GUs (not goo as I had thought--thanks, Gretchen for the correction), blocks, bars, etc. It's very overwhelming. I got some jelly bean things at Target, only because they were at Target instead of the running store. I need to go back to the running store, but if I go every week, then I'd be like a serious runner. No need to get all crazy. Apparently, we are strongly advised to get some sort of hip belt or camelback backpack to hold water and energy drinks. They may call them hip belts, but really, they are fanny packs. Very, very dorky fanny packs. Not quite ready to commit to that.
The 6 miles goes okay. After last week's running fiasco, I stick firmly to brisk walking. I brought Grant's iPod. Stevie Wonder's "Uptight" is the perfect tempo. Unfortunately, halfway through the first lap around the Bowl, the iPod freezes up. I am SURE Grant will find some way to blame me for this, although I swear I did not do anything. Technology hates me, as does nature. So I am reduced to singing "Uptight" to myself. Sadly, the only words I know are "BABY!! Everything is alright! UPTIGHT!! Outta sight." Makes for a long lap.
On the second lap, I catch up with some other walkers, and we talk, so that makes it more interesting than singing 1 bar of a song over and over in my head. And news flash: I pass Ginger!! Well, she stopped to go to the bathroom. Take that, SMALL BLADDER! Still did basically a 16 minute pace. Have to come home and look up how to unstick the iPod. Grant blames me. Apparently caused by jostling around in my pocket, so this is yet another reason I have to get a dorky, dorky fanny pack, so that I can attach my iPod to it.
February 16, 2008, Week 3:
Today we are set to do 4 miles. I think we actually do a little longer. Today was a super cranky training day for me. I was trying to pick up my pace a little. The Santa Barbara 1/2 marathon people are apparently very insistent that you finish the race in under 15 minute/mile. Like, they're stopping the race after that time and if you haven't crossed the finish line, too bad. I've been consistently walking a 16:15/mile pace, and feel like I'm walking pretty fast, so I'm not sure what to do. Shari and Gretchen tell me I will have to start JOGGING part of the way to get under the 15 minute mark. I am just not one of those crazy runner people. I hate running. It makes me gasp, and turn red, and it hurts. During my neighborhood walks during the week, I try walking for 5 minutes and running for 2. I do that once. Then I slow my walking to a crawl. And try to run for 1 minute. Make it about 20 seconds. Barely make it home. Running bites.
So all of this is going through my head and I'm feeling cranky. Ginger, the woman I'm always trying to catch up to is STILL smoking my ass every week. She's like that little bunny at the greyhound track that I keep trying to catch. A little energizer bunny in a baby blue track suit! Then I realize my ADD kicks in around mile 3 and I am completely bored and slowing down to look around. Must talk to Grant and ask him to explain to me once again how to use an iPod.
Also met with the nutritionist and fundraiser this week. The dietitian told me I needed to drink less beer, eat more fruits and vegetables, and get more calcium. Shocking revelations! The fundraiser was impressed by how well I'm doing on raising my goal of $2100. I am really so honored, surprised and touched by how much money I've already raised! Thanks everyone!!
So all of this is going through my head and I'm feeling cranky. Ginger, the woman I'm always trying to catch up to is STILL smoking my ass every week. She's like that little bunny at the greyhound track that I keep trying to catch. A little energizer bunny in a baby blue track suit! Then I realize my ADD kicks in around mile 3 and I am completely bored and slowing down to look around. Must talk to Grant and ask him to explain to me once again how to use an iPod.
Also met with the nutritionist and fundraiser this week. The dietitian told me I needed to drink less beer, eat more fruits and vegetables, and get more calcium. Shocking revelations! The fundraiser was impressed by how well I'm doing on raising my goal of $2100. I am really so honored, surprised and touched by how much money I've already raised! Thanks everyone!!
Training Update
February 9, Week 2 of Training:
We did 3 miles today. 1 mile as a time trial, then 2 miles. During the 1 mile lap, we had to hold potato chips between our fingers to practice not clenching our fists. At the end, some guy had an epileptic seizure and had to go to the hospital, but he was fine. There's this woman about my mom's age who KICKS MY ASS every week, so my goal is to catch up to her pace. This week we have to do 4 miles and I have to meet with the nutritionist. My first mile was my slowest and my 3rd mile was my fastest, so I figure that's good. We got to eat sweaty potato chips at the end.
February 2, 2008, Week 1: First major accomplishment is actually making it to training! Waking up at 6 AM is not my idea of a good time. Training is at 7 in Griffith Park, conveniently not too far away from the house. Later, we'll go to the Rose Bowl, which means getting up at least 15 minutes earlier. Blech. At 7 AM, Griffith Park is PACKED. Who are all these crazy people? There's a Korean running club set up next to us that has a BBQ going. What time did they start running that they're ready to eat Korean BBQ at 7 AM?
I also went to an actual running store and bought ridiculously expensive running shoes and socks. Although Gretchen tells me they make more expensive socks. At the store, the guy made me walk around with no shoes on to see whether I walk on the outside or the inside of my feet, so that he can fit me correctly. His verdict is that I start on the outside and roll to the inside. You know what this means? I still walk like a BAND DORK! Tom Shine would be so proud! I bet I still walk 8 to 5 as well. Then I try on a bunch of shoes and run down Ventura Blvd. The running guy says I have "good form." HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I have never run more than 50 yards in my entire life (and that was for Field Day in elementary school). Plus, how can you not have good form running half a block? I was just trying to not appear winded after running the half-block.
So, anyway, $95 shoes, 2 pairs of $9 socks, and a windbreaker later, I am an official runner! Never mind that I haven't actually run yet. I have made purchases from a running store. Therefore I am a runner.
We did 3 miles today. 1 mile as a time trial, then 2 miles. During the 1 mile lap, we had to hold potato chips between our fingers to practice not clenching our fists. At the end, some guy had an epileptic seizure and had to go to the hospital, but he was fine. There's this woman about my mom's age who KICKS MY ASS every week, so my goal is to catch up to her pace. This week we have to do 4 miles and I have to meet with the nutritionist. My first mile was my slowest and my 3rd mile was my fastest, so I figure that's good. We got to eat sweaty potato chips at the end.
February 2, 2008, Week 1: First major accomplishment is actually making it to training! Waking up at 6 AM is not my idea of a good time. Training is at 7 in Griffith Park, conveniently not too far away from the house. Later, we'll go to the Rose Bowl, which means getting up at least 15 minutes earlier. Blech. At 7 AM, Griffith Park is PACKED. Who are all these crazy people? There's a Korean running club set up next to us that has a BBQ going. What time did they start running that they're ready to eat Korean BBQ at 7 AM?
I also went to an actual running store and bought ridiculously expensive running shoes and socks. Although Gretchen tells me they make more expensive socks. At the store, the guy made me walk around with no shoes on to see whether I walk on the outside or the inside of my feet, so that he can fit me correctly. His verdict is that I start on the outside and roll to the inside. You know what this means? I still walk like a BAND DORK! Tom Shine would be so proud! I bet I still walk 8 to 5 as well. Then I try on a bunch of shoes and run down Ventura Blvd. The running guy says I have "good form." HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I have never run more than 50 yards in my entire life (and that was for Field Day in elementary school). Plus, how can you not have good form running half a block? I was just trying to not appear winded after running the half-block.
So, anyway, $95 shoes, 2 pairs of $9 socks, and a windbreaker later, I am an official runner! Never mind that I haven't actually run yet. I have made purchases from a running store. Therefore I am a runner.
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