Short Talk

On my last half marathon, there was a coupon in my goodie bag for lucy - a women's active wear store/website. It was 25% off any single item (just enter the code 1231gen at checkout). I'm a sucker for sales and ordering on the Internet. I just love getting boxes at work with fun stuff in them.

I picked up these little babies. I love the color and they are just so cute. I totally mix and match all my running stuff - and I use the word "match" loosely. (I hardly ever match - unlike SOME people we know... VIV).

My first debate is on the sizing. There is something in my head that says "you're not a small" so I usually opt for the medium. Then I get home and wish I had the small. So this time I got the small. They fit well, so I washed them and ripped out the tags. I took them on their first little 5 mile spin this morning. ARGGGHHH About mile 2 the creepage began. Should have bought the damn mediums. I guess I like my running shorts big. Overall, they were compfy, I just have to keep them for my shorter runs.

I swear, nothing compares to my Brooks shorts - they are the ones that I am wearing in EVERY race photo because they are the bomb-diggity! I guess I should just stick with what works and go buy like 15 pairs of those.

What running shorts do you prefer?
Do you wear them bigger than your normal size?

PS: Go check out this website for fun, affordable clothing: Lady Language. They have a blog too. And I got out of Target only spending $107. Not too bad, not too bad.

Target Therapy

Today I am resting. I got my 8 mile run in and did yoga this weekend.

My body needs a break.

I am consistently at 134 now and feelin' slim and happy.

Well, maybe not so happy, but getting there. I always have the blues on Monday. Anyone else?

But this will help:

I am going to Target after work. And I'm going to spend a lot of money there. I need so many things: new rug for kitchen, tons of toiletries (do you happen to run out of everything at the same time or is it just me?), cleaning stuff, etc. etc. I'm sure I will end up with a heck ova lot more in my cart than just what is on my list. That's what ya gotta love about Target.

Then I'm going home to finish watching my Flight of the Conchords dvd. Does anyone else love these guys or am I the only person in the universe?

Non Plan Update

My "non plan" plan is working well for me this week.

Here's a little recap:

• Miles run: 9 (and I'm going to run this weekend my favorite distance - 8 miles) so that will total me out at 17. Not great, but I'll take it.
• Yoga: Three Times (including today and tomorrow)
• Visits with friends: 2
• Slept in: Once
• Weight: 135 (and holding)

I'm sticking with my "non-plan" plan for another 3 weeks and I'm going to love every minute of it. It's not that I'm being lazy. I'm just doing what I want exercise-wise instead of what I have to do for "training."

Many people have accused me of trying to plan everything. And they say this like it's a negative thing. WHY does this bother people (aka ex-boyfriends, possible new boyfriends, coworkers, friends, etc? Do you think it's annoying?

Once I EMBRACED my inner-planner, I realized there are many benefits to this.

1. I am always prepared food-wise so I can eat healthy. For example, I bring fruit & veggies on road trips so when my friends get fast food, I have something healthy to eat. I bring an apple/orange when I am crashing at friends house so I have some fruit in the morning (just in case).
2. I'm always dressed for the occasion. I don't show up to a pool party in a clubbing outfit (and visa-versa). I can bring a change of clothes for any change of plans, etc.
3. I can get 5 things done when most people can only accomplish 1 or 2. Killing 2 birds with one stone, type of thing.
4. I have less anxiety because I am prepared for events.
5. Others admire me and perceive me as a woman in charge and give me gifts. (Ok, not really)

Saving Face

I was just reading on someones blog (I'm sorry, I forgot which one and now can't link it - please speak up if it's you) how when they gain weight, you can see it in their face.


This is very embarrassing because I look so creepy, but most people like before & after photos. Since there is no limit to what I would do for a good laugh, this is just for you. (Ok, there really is a limit so don't get any crazy ideas.)


BEFORE (2005 and 2006)



















After (2008)

















I just realized that you can totally see how my face is aging (wrinkles, etc.) but I look and feel so much better than I did, so I'll take those wrinkles any day.


So, can any recommend some good wrinkle-fighting products????

I'm tellin' ya, the craziness never stops with me.

Photo Whore Strikes Out

You may have noticed a few things about me
1. I am NOT shy
2. I love me some pictures


So how on earth (for the SECOND) time, can I strike out when it comes to race pictures? My first half marathon, there was not a single picture of me. And now the third half marathon, this happened again.


I do everything to ensure that I will have many race pictures to chose from. I wear my number on the front of my shirt so it is damn loud and clear who the heck I am. I see a cameraman and I make damn sure as hell he sees me. "It's go time buddy."


After looking through 5,980 photos, this is what I found:






















x
Now, I have to be honest. I am exaggerating a little. There is ONE pic from this race of me. But it is SO SO horrible that I would like to pretend it doesn't exist. However, I realized that it's so bad, it would be a crime to not share it. So here goes:


Go ahead and laugh.


What the BLEEP am I doing? It looks like I'm droppin' an "F" bomb and what is with the hands? Am I dancing? Am I stopping traffic?


So, for the sake of all that is good in this world, I will make a solemn vow to you all (and to myself): From now on, during a race I will not do stupid things when I see a camera. I will simply run and maybe a small wave. But that is it.

Good Day.

Mama Drama

Most of you know how I feel about health & fitness.
I love it.
I love to talk about it. I love to read about it. I love to write about it.
I love to live it.
I love to read your blogs about it.

It's all about sharing advice, recipes, suggestions, encouragement, disappointments, etc.

This is what I do to stay motivated and HOPEFULLY, along the way, motivate some of you too.

But there is someone in my life who I cannot motivate.
It's my mother.
She has gone through various stages of health and fitness herself. I have not been alive to witness any of it (I have to take her word on that one), but she says she was even a runner at one time. She has been thin (not from a healthy way) and she has been heavy. Right now, she is at her heaviest. She has even been hospitalized for DIET related problems.

I don't know what came first for her - the depression or the weight gain. But they definitely go hand-in-hand. I have tried to motivate her by giving her healthy, easy recipes. I send her info about yoga and even try to show her some basics. I don't live close enough (thank God) to actually work out/walk with her, so that's not an option. Plus, she is the kind of person who looks for a PILL to solve everything. She wants an easy way out, an easy solution. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as I see it) sometimes the only way is by good, old-fashioned hard work.

I know there is nothing I can really do, because she has to WANT a healthier lifestyle for herself. I can't force my views on her, but I hate to see her getting more depressed and gaining even more weight. And even worse, eventually ending up back in the hospital.

A few of us in my family (Grams, Aunt, Sis) have tried to intervene, but like I said before, she has to want to change for herself. I really wish I could send her to one of the shows - like "Starting Over." That would be awesome.

My "No Plan" Plan

What's next, you ask?

My plan for the rest of May is....

NOTHING!

I am not going to have a structured anything.

I am going to run when I want to;

Do yoga when I want to;

Lift weights when I want to;

Sleep in when I want to... you get the picture!

Fall marathon training starts in June so I want to just enjoy NOT being in training.

Of course I will be thinking about the Portland Marathon and coming up with my plan. If you want to chat about that, check out the Forum on Runners Lounge.

The Proof is in the Pudding

Snook seriously nailed my banner to a tree on the race course.
That's how he rolls.

I was pretending to run past it - such a good actress, huh? I should quit my day job and pursue acting.

After the race, my mom wanted to see this "hill" that I was so proud to have conquered, so we drove up it. I had to do my favorite yoga move for ya'll again.

The Kill of the Hill

The Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon was awesome! I realized that I love smaller races, especially when the scenery is incredible. This race has it all, including moo'ing cows, rolling hills, lavender fields, more hills and even more hills.

I got to my grandparents house Thursday and we had some wine, relaxed and caught up. Friday we went to the expo. I forgot my running hat so my granny goose bought me a new one. She's so nice. Grandpa Snook thought I should just wear one of the old trucker hats in his garage. Why buy a new hat when he has several perfectly fine hats already?

Granny wanted to "drive" the course so I would know what I was getting myself into. We drove the first half. I was freaked. The entire first half was uphill with rolling hills scattered throughout. Seriously. She said the 2nd half was worse. I decided NOT to see the second half, as I already had little doubting debbies in my head. Speaking of doubting debbies, my mom suggested that I just run the first half and stop. (My grandparents house is at the half-way point).

Snook was very concerned about all the "traffic" that this 2000 person race would cause. So after much deliberation, he selected a route to the drop off point. This was a 3 minute drive from their house. Considering that he doesn't drive over 15 miles per hour, it was amazing that I managed to arrive at the race 45 minutes before it started. That was way too early. I was ready to go. The race actually started a little late because the porta-potty lines were long. Uhm. Ok, whatever.

Once we were off, it was awesome. It was so quiet outside that the melodic sound of sneakers against pavement was all you could hear. I decided to keep my iPod off. I definitely felt I was struggling in the first half. It seemed as if I was getting passed up by everyone - short, tall, fat, thin, old, young. Looking back, this was just in my head. My first half time was only 54:53.

After passing my grandparents house and getting a big energy boost from TEAM POM (pictured above), I started to get into my grove. There was a nice lady running beside me who said, "I think we're done with the hills." I said, "I hate to tell you this, but the biggest hill is right in front of us." As we turned the corner, you see it: Corkscrew Hill. I looked at my new friend (forgot her name) and said "We can do this. It will be fun." It was hard. Really hard. But I was right, it was fun for sure.

Shortly after, I heard someone say "Mile 11." I looked at my watch (didn't bring Big G) and it said 1:50. I was like, "holy crap, I might have a chance of matching my time from my last half." This is exactly what happened at my last half too. So I booked it. BUT... another hill right at the end. I was not expecting to be under 2:10 for this race.

I reached the finish line and got stuck in this hellacious line for water/fruit/crappy food (cookies, etc). I totally forgot to stop my watch. Who does this? So lame. I wasn't sure what my time was. I had to get online today to find out.

AND...

IT WAS...

2:04:28

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. My legs were jello right after. I felt a little sick to my stomach, so I actually didn't drink any wine. (Until the evening, of course). My quads and calves are still killing me, but a good pain, not a bad one.

Favorite MOM-ISM of the weekend: Men - stop reading here.
Me: I started my period.
Mom: It's probably from all that running.
Me: Yeah, it probably is.

Santa Ynez Bound

I'm ready to get the weekend started.
Hitting the road this afternoon to drive to Santa Ynez for a nice visit with a girlfriend then off to the Grandparents house.

I wouldn't call this week a success on the health front. I did manage to not eat like a banshee; I probably didn't eat enough. I was forced to eat a lot of protein bars like Luna Bars or other "FAKE" food. It gave me protein, but I really hate eating fake food. I feel so much better when I am eating cleaner. I did manage to rack up extra calories on the wine. So should be for an interesting race on Saturday.

Also, I had to wear heals and be on my feet for about 10-12 hours each day during this event. My feet are in serious peril.

I am hoping to rest up (mentally and physically) on Friday and get ready.

13.1 hilly hell, here I come. Ready or not!